Association of maternal diabetes with autism spectrum disorders in offspring

Abstract

Studies on the association of maternal diabetes with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) in offspring provide inconsistent findings; therefore an updated and comprehensive literature review and meta-analysis is necessary to perform in order to evaluate the available evidences.After searching databases systematically, we established the inclusion criteria and selected the eligible studies. In both overall and stratified analyses, the estimated effects were synthesized dependent on the presence or absence of heterogeneity.Twelve articles involving 16 studies were included and synthesized, demonstrating a significant association of maternal diabetes with ASDs among children (relative risk [RR] = 1.48). However, high heterogeneity was observed (I2 = 56.3%) and publication bias was identified. In terms of the analyses on reliable evidences from case-control studies, heterogeneity and publication bias disappeared, and the risk of ASDs was increased by 62% among diabetic mothers compared with non-diabetic mothers.Maternal diabetes, especially gestational diabetes mellitus, is associated with ASDs in offspring based on a limited number of convincing case-control studies. More large-scale population-based prospective studies are still needed to draw firm conclusions.

The risk of overweight and obesity in children with autism spectrum disorders: A systematic review and meta‐analysis

“…The association between ASD and overweight/obesity is thought to be affected by multiple etiological factors that may have contributed to the severe heterogeneity we observed even after controlling for the methodological variability. These potential etiological factors include genetic variants (eg, 16p11.2 deletion and microdeletion 11p14.1); prenatal exposure to certain infections, medications, toxins, maternal diabetes, and maternal obesity; intra‐uterine growth retardation; and prematurity . Furthermore, limitations associated with ASD (eg, food selectivity and physical limitations) and management of ASD per se (eg, atypical antipsychotics) could be mediating or moderating the association.…”

Fetal programming of neuropsychiatric disorders by maternal pregnancy depression: a systematic mini review

“…43 Gestational diabetes has repeatedly been associated with an increased risk of neuropsychiatric disorders, particularly of autism and schizophrenia in the offspring. [44][45][46][47] Yet, in the PREDO maternal obesity or gestational diabetes were not associated with mother-rated internalizing, externalizing, or total psychiatric problems in 1.9-to 5.9-year-old children, 21 but were associated with child neurodevelopmental delay. 48 Prenatal depression also increases risks of preterm birth and low birth weight.…”

Relationship of prenatal maternal obesity and diabetes to offspring neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders: a narrative review

“…Nomura et al [11] Cohort (USA) Craig et al [49] Cohort (UK) Mackay et al [58] autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), anxiety and depression, schizophrenia and other neuropsychiatric disorders [10] (Table 1). While the association between maternal obesity and offspring neuropsychiatric disorder has been extensively studied, especially for ASD, the influence of maternal diabetes on offspring neuropsychiatric disorders, other than ASD and ADHD [11][12][13][14][15][16], is less well explored. Likewise, little is known regarding the size of the joint effects of maternal pre-pregnancy obesity and different types of maternal diabetes on neuropsychiatric outcomes in offspring [12].…”