GDM Linked to 2.5 Point Cognitive Decline in Mothers
Gestational diabetes increases risk of cognitive decline in mothers and developmental disorders in children, according to a landmark international study analyzing 9 million pregnancies.
Executive Brief
- The News: GDM linked to 2.47-point lower cognitive scores in mothers
- Clinical Win: Early GDM detection may reduce 36% increased risk of ADHD in children
- Target Specialty: Obstetricians managing pregnancies with gestational diabetes
Key Data at a Glance
Condition: Gestational diabetes (GDM)
Prevalence in Singapore: 1 in 5 pregnancies
Risk of ADHD in children: 36% increased
Risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in children: 56% increased
Cognitive decline in mothers: 2.47 points lower on cognitive assessments
IQ reduction in children: nearly 4 points
GDM Linked to 2.5 Point Cognitive Decline in Mothers
A landmark international study has revealed that gestational diabetes (GDM) during pregnancy is strongly associated with declines in intellectual function for mothers and a higher risk of developmental, behavioral, and autism spectrum disorders in children.
Analyzing data from more than 9 million pregnancies across 20 countries, including Singapore, the researchers found that on average, mothers with a history of GDM scored 2.47 points lower on cognitive assessments than peers without GDM. In children, exposure to GDM resulted in nearly a four-point reduction in IQ, a 36% increased risk of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), a 56% increased risk of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), and a 45% higher risk of total or partial developmental delays.
These findings presented at this year's Annual Meeting of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes (EASD) in Vienna hold particular relevance for Singapore, where GDM affects about one in five pregnancies—higher than the global average—and childhood autism rates already stand at about 1 in 150, above many other countries.
The study led by Assistant Professor Queenie Li Ling Jun, from the Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at NUS Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine (NUS Medicine).
While GDM often resolves after birth, findings from this new global synthesis underscore the far-reaching effects of GDM on mother and child. "Our findings highlight an urgent need for early detection and careful management of gestational diabetes—not just to prevent immediate pregnancy complications, but to safeguard the long-term cognitive outcomes for mothers and their children," said Assistant Professor Li. Recent NUS Medicine research suggests that a non-fasting blood test taken in the first trimester may allow earlier detection of GDM.
As it is still not fully clear how GDM affects a child's brain development, the research team calls for longer-term follow-up and studies to clarify the links between GDM and the full spectrum of cognitive functions.
Clinical Perspective — Dr. Mohit Joshi, Psychiatry
Workflow: I'm now more likely to screen for gestational diabetes (GDM) earlier, given the potential long-term cognitive impacts on both mothers and children. With GDM affecting about one in five pregnancies in Singapore, I'd prioritize careful management of these cases. The possibility of using a non-fasting blood test in the first trimester for earlier detection is particularly noteworthy.
Economics: The article doesn't address cost directly, but managing GDM and its associated conditions, like ADHD and autism, can have significant economic implications. I'd consider the potential long-term costs of not detecting and managing GDM early, including the impact on mothers' cognitive function and children's developmental delays.
Patient Outcomes: The study's findings show a significant impact on patient outcomes, with mothers with GDM scoring 2.47 points lower on cognitive assessments and children experiencing a nearly four-point reduction in IQ. The increased risk of ADHD (36%), autism spectrum disorder (56%), and developmental delays (45%) in children exposed to GDM is particularly concerning, and I'd take these risks into account when managing pregnant patients with GDM.
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