Effect of maternal gestational diabetes mellitus on neurodevelopment in late preterm infants at the corrected age of 12 months

Abstract Previous studies have examined the associations of gestational diabetes mellitus(GDM) with autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. However, the associations between GDM and other neurodevelopmental domains, such as the motor and language, are rarely studied. T...

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Main Authors: Lidan Qian, Tiantian Xin, Weidong Xu, Jialin Zhu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Nature Portfolio 2025-04-01
Series:Scientific Reports
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-98987-w
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author Lidan Qian
Tiantian Xin
Weidong Xu
Jialin Zhu
author_facet Lidan Qian
Tiantian Xin
Weidong Xu
Jialin Zhu
author_sort Lidan Qian
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Previous studies have examined the associations of gestational diabetes mellitus(GDM) with autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. However, the associations between GDM and other neurodevelopmental domains, such as the motor and language, are rarely studied. The primary objective of this study was to examine the effect of maternal GDM on the neurodevelopmental outcomes of late preterm infants at the corrected age of 12 months. This prospective cohort study included 205 late preterm infants born between January 1, 2022, and June 30, 2023 in Jiangsu, China. These infants were grouped according to whether their mothers had GDM, and their neurodevelopment was assessed using the Gesell Developmental Schedules (GDS) at 3, 6, and 12 months of corrected age. Statistical analyses were performed to compare the differences in various parameters between the two groups. A total of 205 infants were enrolled in the study, with 61 in the GDM group and 144 in the non-GDM group. At the corrected age of 3 and 6 months, no significant differences (P > 0.05) were observed in the gross motor, fine motor, adaptability, language, and social-emotional response, nor in rates of abnormal scores, between the GDM and non-GDM groups. However, at the corrected age of 12 months, the GDM group exhibited significantly lower scores in gross motor function and fine motor function compared to the non-GDM group (P < 0.05), while the abnormal rate of language was significantly lower in the GDM group (P < 0.05). Maternal GDM may adversely affect gross motor, fine motor, and language development in late preterm infants at the corrected age of 12 months. These findings highlight the importance of early monitoring and intervention for neurodevelopmental outcomes in this population. Future research should explore the underlying mechanisms and long-term neurodevelopmental trajectories associated with maternal GDM, providing additional insights for clinical practice and public health strategies.
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spelling doaj-art-a132796aa5884067bfed712e0d319e4a2025-08-20T03:14:06ZengNature PortfolioScientific Reports2045-23222025-04-011511810.1038/s41598-025-98987-wEffect of maternal gestational diabetes mellitus on neurodevelopment in late preterm infants at the corrected age of 12 monthsLidan Qian0Tiantian Xin1Weidong Xu2Jialin Zhu3The First People’s Hospital of Zhangjiagang CityThe First People’s Hospital of Zhangjiagang CityThe First People’s Hospital of Zhangjiagang CityThe First People’s Hospital of Zhangjiagang CityAbstract Previous studies have examined the associations of gestational diabetes mellitus(GDM) with autism spectrum disorder and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. However, the associations between GDM and other neurodevelopmental domains, such as the motor and language, are rarely studied. The primary objective of this study was to examine the effect of maternal GDM on the neurodevelopmental outcomes of late preterm infants at the corrected age of 12 months. This prospective cohort study included 205 late preterm infants born between January 1, 2022, and June 30, 2023 in Jiangsu, China. These infants were grouped according to whether their mothers had GDM, and their neurodevelopment was assessed using the Gesell Developmental Schedules (GDS) at 3, 6, and 12 months of corrected age. Statistical analyses were performed to compare the differences in various parameters between the two groups. A total of 205 infants were enrolled in the study, with 61 in the GDM group and 144 in the non-GDM group. At the corrected age of 3 and 6 months, no significant differences (P > 0.05) were observed in the gross motor, fine motor, adaptability, language, and social-emotional response, nor in rates of abnormal scores, between the GDM and non-GDM groups. However, at the corrected age of 12 months, the GDM group exhibited significantly lower scores in gross motor function and fine motor function compared to the non-GDM group (P < 0.05), while the abnormal rate of language was significantly lower in the GDM group (P < 0.05). Maternal GDM may adversely affect gross motor, fine motor, and language development in late preterm infants at the corrected age of 12 months. These findings highlight the importance of early monitoring and intervention for neurodevelopmental outcomes in this population. Future research should explore the underlying mechanisms and long-term neurodevelopmental trajectories associated with maternal GDM, providing additional insights for clinical practice and public health strategies.https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-98987-wNeurodevelopmentGestational diabetes mellitusGesell developmental schedulesLate preterm infant
spellingShingle Lidan Qian
Tiantian Xin
Weidong Xu
Jialin Zhu
Effect of maternal gestational diabetes mellitus on neurodevelopment in late preterm infants at the corrected age of 12 months
Scientific Reports
Neurodevelopment
Gestational diabetes mellitus
Gesell developmental schedules
Late preterm infant
title Effect of maternal gestational diabetes mellitus on neurodevelopment in late preterm infants at the corrected age of 12 months
title_full Effect of maternal gestational diabetes mellitus on neurodevelopment in late preterm infants at the corrected age of 12 months
title_fullStr Effect of maternal gestational diabetes mellitus on neurodevelopment in late preterm infants at the corrected age of 12 months
title_full_unstemmed Effect of maternal gestational diabetes mellitus on neurodevelopment in late preterm infants at the corrected age of 12 months
title_short Effect of maternal gestational diabetes mellitus on neurodevelopment in late preterm infants at the corrected age of 12 months
title_sort effect of maternal gestational diabetes mellitus on neurodevelopment in late preterm infants at the corrected age of 12 months
topic Neurodevelopment
Gestational diabetes mellitus
Gesell developmental schedules
Late preterm infant
url https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-025-98987-w
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