Kaiser Finds Autism-Diabetes Link

The causes of autism in children has been speculated on as incidences of the disorder continue to rise, but Kaiser Permanente has apparently linked to to gestational diabetes in expectant mothers.

Gestational diabetes is a fairly common condition in expectant mothers, occurring about 9% of the time, based on data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

According to a study of more than 322,000 children born at Kaiser’s Southern California hospitals, those whose mothers were diagnosed with gestational diabetes by the 26th week of pregnancy had a 63% greater chance of developing an autism spectrum disorder. Even after controlling for maternal age, education, race and ethnicity, household income and other demographic factors, the increased risk of autism associated with gestational diabetes was 42%.

“If the findings of this study reflect a cause and effect relationship, then they add another factor to a growing list of risks associated with gestational diabetes,” said Edward S. Curry, M.D., a pediatric learning and behavior specialist at Kaiser Permanente Fontana Medical Center and one of the study’s co-authors. “Our study findings also suggest that early screening for autism in children of women with gestational diabetes diagnosed by 26 weeks gestation may be warranted.” 

By contrast, children whose mothers developed gestational diabetes after 26 weeks of birth did not have any higher risk of having an autism spectrum disorder, according to the study.

Kaiser used its electronic medical records system to conduct the study, following the children born at its facilities for an average of 5.5 years.

“The exposure of fetuses to maternal hyperglycemia may have long-lasting effects on organ development and function, but whether this can disrupt fetal brain development and heighten risk for neurobehavioral developmental disorders in offspring is less clear,” said Anny H. Xiang, the study’s lead author and a Kaiser researcher. “Future studies should address whether early diagnosis and treatment of gestational diabetes can reduce the risk of autism.” 

The study was published in the most recent issue of the Journal of the American Medical Association.