Takeaway
- This meta-analysis suggests exposure to maternal pre-existing diabetes in pregnancy is associated with lower intelligence (IQ) quotient and increased risk for autism spectrum disorder (ASD).
- However, caution should be exercised when interpreting these findings.
Why this matters
- Awareness regarding the association of exposure to pre-existing diabetes in utero with intelligence and ASD should contribute to a low threshold for investigating parental concerns.
Study design
- Meta-analysis of 19 articles involving more than 18,681 participants with pre-existing diabetes and 2,856,688 control participants.
- Funding: None.
Key results
- Offspring exposed to pre-existing diabetes had significantly lower IQ than the control groups (pooled weighted mean difference, −3.07 [95% CI, −4.59 to −1.55; I2=0%]).
- Maternal pre-existing diabetes exposure was associated with an increased risk for ASD (effect estimate, 1.98; 95% CI, 1.46-2.68; I2=0%).
- The risk for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder was higher with exposure to maternal pre-existing diabetes (2 studies; pooled adjusted HR, 1.36; 95% CI, 1.19-1.55; I2=0%).
Limitations
- Risk of bias.
References
References