The impact of gestational diabetes on infants’ neurodevelopmental status: a cohort study

Abstract

Objective: The prevalence of gestational diabetes is increasing worldwide. Several studies have indicated that gestational diabetes can cause neurodevelopmental disorders in children. None of them has examined all areas of neurodevelopment. We conducted this pilot study to compare the neurodevelopmental status in infants of mothers with and without gestational diabetes. Materials and Methods: Forty infants of mothers with gestational diabetes and 40 infants of healthy mothers were included and followed up at 6 and 12 months old of age. The primary data of the study were extracted from a cohort study (PERSIAN Birth Cohort) done in Yazd province, Iran. Ages and Stages Questionnaire (ASQ) was used as a standard test to assess all domains of neurodevelopment. Finally, the data obtained from the questionnaire were statistically analyzed using SPSS software. Results: Data analysis showed a significant relationship between gestational diabetes and neurodevelopment in the area of problem solving at one year old, but its relationship with other domains was not significant. In the case group, there was a significant relationship between the type of treatment (insulin therapy) and neurodevelopment in the area of gross motor skills at one year of age. Conclusion: Based on this study, it seems that infants' neurodevelopment in the area of problem solving has been affected by gestational diabetes. Thus, the role of physicians in follow up of the neurodevelopmental progress of infants of diabetic mothers is significant