Diabetes in Mothers and Autism in Offspring

Another example of fetal origins of later disease?

The prevalence of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) and maternal diabetes have both risen during the past several decades. Early fetal exposure to maternal hyperglycemia may result in certain malformations, but effects on neurodevelopment have not been well established. Investigators analyzed 15 years of data from a large healthcare organization to explore the association between maternal diabetes and diagnoses of ASD in offspring.

Among >322,000 children followed for a median of 5.5 years, 2% were born to mothers with preexisting type 2 diabetes and 8% were born to mothers with gestational diabetes (GDM). Nearly one third of the GDM cases were diagnosed before 26 weeks' gestation. Overall, 1.1% of children had diagnoses of ASDs. After adjust…

Reviewing Author

Allison Bryant, MD, MPH

Disclosures

RoyaltiesUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesSociety for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (Board of Directors)

Allison Bryant, MD, MPH

Disclosures

RoyaltiesUpToDate

Leadership Positions in Professional SocietiesSociety for Maternal-Fetal Medicine (Board of Directors)

Diabetes in Mothers and Autism in Offspring

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Reviewing Author