Maternal Gestational Diabetes and Autism Spectrum Disorder in Offspring: Risk Factors, Mechanisms, and Pediatric Implications
Introduction: Gestational diabetes (GDM) complicates around 14% of pregnancies globally. While GDM’s physiological effects are often transient, its long-lasting effects on the mother and the child are significant. Studies show a heightened chance of autism occurring in offspring subjected to gestat...
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Knowledge E
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Dubai Medical Journal |
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| Online Access: | https://knepublishing.com/index.php/DMJ/article/view/19010 |
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| author | Rasha Maryam Zyna Fayaz Nafila Musthafa Jasna Abdul Jaleel Shadha Nasser Mohammed Bahutair Rasha Aziz Attia Salama Mohamed Anas Patni |
| author_facet | Rasha Maryam Zyna Fayaz Nafila Musthafa Jasna Abdul Jaleel Shadha Nasser Mohammed Bahutair Rasha Aziz Attia Salama Mohamed Anas Patni |
| author_sort | Rasha Maryam |
| collection | DOAJ |
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Introduction: Gestational diabetes (GDM) complicates around 14% of pregnancies globally. While GDM’s physiological effects are often transient, its long-lasting effects on the mother and the child are significant. Studies show a heightened chance of autism occurring in offspring subjected to gestational diabetes in utero.
Methods: A thorough search of literature was performed across PubMed, SCOPUS, and ProQuest, identifying 35 relevant studies published between 2012 and 2024. This review focuses on exploring the impact of GDM on the offspring’s chances of developing autism. It aims to explore the factors influencing this relationship, such as the timing of GDM onset, the presence of coexisting complications, and the condition’s underlying mechanisms.
Results: The findings demonstrate that gestational diabetes can significantly increase the risk of autism. Key factors influencing this relationship include the timing of diagnosis, maternal glucose management, and treatment strategies during pregnancy. Potential mechanisms include increased fetal exposure to inflammation, oxidative stress, and immune dysregulation.
Conclusion: The findings highlight the importance of early and effective GDM management and its pediatric implications for improving neurodevelopmental outcomes in offspring during early childhood.
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| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-92861513ed2a4f6e8be574ba2d8447de |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2571-726X |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | Knowledge E |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Dubai Medical Journal |
| spelling | doaj-art-92861513ed2a4f6e8be574ba2d8447de2025-08-20T03:27:52ZengKnowledge EDubai Medical Journal2571-726X2025-06-018210.18502/dmj.v8i2.19010Maternal Gestational Diabetes and Autism Spectrum Disorder in Offspring: Risk Factors, Mechanisms, and Pediatric ImplicationsRasha Maryam0Zyna Fayaz1Nafila Musthafa2Jasna Abdul Jaleel3https://orcid.org/0009-0003-2277-9983Shadha Nasser Mohammed Bahutair4https://orcid.org/0009-0002-6427-1355Rasha Aziz Attia Salama5https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1102-9306Mohamed Anas Patni6https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6948-3619College of Medicine, Ras Al Khaimah Medical and Health Sciences University, Ras Al KhaimahCollege of Medicine, Ras Al Khaimah Medical and Health Sciences University, Ras Al KhaimahCollege of Medicine, Ras Al Khaimah Medical and Health Sciences University, Ras Al KhaimahCollege of Medicine, Ras Al Khaimah Medical and Health Sciences University, Ras Al KhaimahDepartment of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ras Al Khaimah Medical and Health Sciences University, Ras Al KhaimahDepartment of Community Medicine, Ras Al Khaimah Medical and Health Sciences University, Ras Al KhaimahDepartment of Community Medicine, Ras Al Khaimah Medical and Health Sciences University, Ras Al Khaimah Introduction: Gestational diabetes (GDM) complicates around 14% of pregnancies globally. While GDM’s physiological effects are often transient, its long-lasting effects on the mother and the child are significant. Studies show a heightened chance of autism occurring in offspring subjected to gestational diabetes in utero. Methods: A thorough search of literature was performed across PubMed, SCOPUS, and ProQuest, identifying 35 relevant studies published between 2012 and 2024. This review focuses on exploring the impact of GDM on the offspring’s chances of developing autism. It aims to explore the factors influencing this relationship, such as the timing of GDM onset, the presence of coexisting complications, and the condition’s underlying mechanisms. Results: The findings demonstrate that gestational diabetes can significantly increase the risk of autism. Key factors influencing this relationship include the timing of diagnosis, maternal glucose management, and treatment strategies during pregnancy. Potential mechanisms include increased fetal exposure to inflammation, oxidative stress, and immune dysregulation. Conclusion: The findings highlight the importance of early and effective GDM management and its pediatric implications for improving neurodevelopmental outcomes in offspring during early childhood. https://knepublishing.com/index.php/DMJ/article/view/19010autistic spectrum disorder (ASD)endocrinologygestational diabetes (GDM)neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD)psychiatry |
| spellingShingle | Rasha Maryam Zyna Fayaz Nafila Musthafa Jasna Abdul Jaleel Shadha Nasser Mohammed Bahutair Rasha Aziz Attia Salama Mohamed Anas Patni Maternal Gestational Diabetes and Autism Spectrum Disorder in Offspring: Risk Factors, Mechanisms, and Pediatric Implications Dubai Medical Journal autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) endocrinology gestational diabetes (GDM) neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD) psychiatry |
| title | Maternal Gestational Diabetes and Autism Spectrum Disorder in Offspring: Risk Factors, Mechanisms, and Pediatric Implications |
| title_full | Maternal Gestational Diabetes and Autism Spectrum Disorder in Offspring: Risk Factors, Mechanisms, and Pediatric Implications |
| title_fullStr | Maternal Gestational Diabetes and Autism Spectrum Disorder in Offspring: Risk Factors, Mechanisms, and Pediatric Implications |
| title_full_unstemmed | Maternal Gestational Diabetes and Autism Spectrum Disorder in Offspring: Risk Factors, Mechanisms, and Pediatric Implications |
| title_short | Maternal Gestational Diabetes and Autism Spectrum Disorder in Offspring: Risk Factors, Mechanisms, and Pediatric Implications |
| title_sort | maternal gestational diabetes and autism spectrum disorder in offspring risk factors mechanisms and pediatric implications |
| topic | autistic spectrum disorder (ASD) endocrinology gestational diabetes (GDM) neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD) psychiatry |
| url | https://knepublishing.com/index.php/DMJ/article/view/19010 |
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