High blood glucose levels in pregnant women may increase risk of autism

Children of mothers who have elevated blood glucose levels during early pregnancy may have significantly increased odds of developing an autism spectrum disorder (ASD), according to a new study. 

Anny Xiang and colleagues analyzed electronic medical records data from more than 35,000 mother-infant pairs using Kai-ser Permanente hospital records. All of the mothers had undergone a hemoglobin A1c(HbA1c) test—which measures blood glucose levels over a period of months—at some point during the first two trimesters of pregnancy. 

The children were followed until they reached four to five years of age. By the end of the follow-up, 707 had received a clinical diagnosis of autism. The researchers report that compared with children whose mothers had an HbA1c of less than 5.7%, children of mothers with an HbA1c greater than 6.5% were nearly twice as likely to receive a diagnosis of autism. The finding is consistent with earlier studies showing that children of mothers with type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes, or gestational diabetes diagnosed by the second trimester are at increased odds of developing ASD. 

Xiang says, “Maternal diabetes, if not well treated, means hyperglycemia in utero that increases uterine inflammation, oxidative stress, and hypoxia and may alter gene expression. This can disrupt fetal brain development, increasing the risk for neural behavior disorders such as autism.”

The researchers conclude, “Improving glycemic control during pregnancy may reduce the risk of ASD in children, and monitoring HbA1c may assist in identifying at-risk children for early intervention to reduce ASD disabilities.”

Citations

“Glycated hemoglobin A1c levels during pregnancy and risk of autism in offspring,” AnnyXiang, Ting Chow, Mayra P. Martinez, DariosGetahun, Kathleen A. Page, Thomas A. Buchanan, and R. Klara Feldman, poster presentation to the American Diabetes Association Scientific Sessions, June 2019. Address:[email protected]

.—see also—

“Maternal HbA1c influences autism risk in offspring,” healio.com, June 13, 2019