Diabetes during early pregnancy could mean a higher risk for the baby to develop autism, reveals a new study. The study, published in the Journal of the American Medical Association, shows that if expecting mothers develop diabetic condition by the 26th week of pregnancy then they are 42% more like to have a child with autism.
According to the researchers, the time between the 1st week of pregnancy and 26th week of pregnancy is very crucial as far as gestational diabetes and autism spectrum disorders are concerned. Women who had Type II diabetes earlier or those who developed diabetes after the 26th week of pregnancy do not have an increased risk of giving birth to an autistic child.
Explaining the Correlation between Gestational Diabetes and Autism?
Gestational diabetes and autism – what is the correlation Why do then women who are newly diagnosed with diabetes and under 26th week of pregnancy have the higher risk?
Although the research did not reveal exactly why gestational diabetes increases autism risk in children, the authors believe that the diabetic condition, which affects the body’s blood sugar level, interferes with the development of the foetus’ brain. This disruption may contribute to autism symptoms later in life, including challenges in social interaction, communication, and repetitive behaviors. In some cases, children may exhibit milder signs, sometimes referred to as borderline autism, where symptoms are present but less severe.. If the blood sugar level remains untreated, it damages blood vessels, which is especially detrimental for a foetus under 26 weeks.”
Expecting mothers who were already diagnosed with diabetes and under treatment, therefore, do not have increased the risk of having a child with autism, explained Anny Xiang, the lead author.
Anny Xiang and team, from Kaiser Permanente Southern California Department of Research and Evaluation, used data collected from more than 300,000 children born between 1995 and 2009 for their research. Out of the total, 9.8 percent of children were exposed to high blood sugar level. Out of which, 7.8 percent were exposed through gestational diabetes and the remaining 2 percent of the children’s mother had Type II diabetes. About 1 percent of the children exposed to diabetes were diagnosed with autism at a later age.
The finding, however, is not without glitches. The autism risk factor from the father has not been taken into consideration due to lack of documented resources. Children’s genetic predisposition to autism has not been evaluated in the study.
However, the researchers claim their study to be significant as it points to a probable cause for the autism spectrum disorder. The study shows controlling blood sugar level is necessary to reduce autism risk.
Other risks
Gestational diabetes is a known evil. It causes other health issues in children such as obesity, metabolic disorder, and hypoglycemia or low blood sugar level.
What is Gestational Diabetes?
Gestational diabetes is a condition that affects expecting mother who never had diabetes before and it usually goes away after the pregnancy. During the pregnancy, the body sometimes becomes resistant to insulin. In the absence of sufficient insulin, the body fails to transform glucose into energy. Prevalence of gestational diabetes is 9.2 percent among pregnant women in the United States.
The full study paper could be obtained from the JAMA Network website.
FAQ’s
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Conclusion :
Gestational diabetes during early pregnancy may slightly increase the risk of autism and developmental delays in children, particularly if blood sugar is not well controlled before the 26th week. While more research is needed to fully understand the connection, this study highlights the importance of monitoring and managing blood sugar levels during pregnancy. Proper care, including medical supervision, diet, and lifestyle management, can help reduce potential risks and support healthy fetal development.
I am Ash and I celebrate Neurodiversity! Growing up with an elder brother with severe Autism was tough – but it has also taught me essential life lessons. I don’t believe that people with Autism are necessarily or have any disorder (except in extreme cases). They are just different! And that is something to be proud of! I am passionate about helping other families who may have Autism conditions in their family. So please reach out and drop me a note. I will be glad to help 🙂
