A new study warns that children born to obese women with diabetes are four times more likely to be diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder. Women of reproductive age who are thinking of having children should stay fit.
Autism spectrum disorder is a serious neuro-developmental condition characterised by severe deficits in socialisation, verbal and nonverbal communication and repetitive behaviours. The findings of the study highlight a theory about autism that the risk factors develop likely before the child is even born.
Severity Of Mother’s Depression During Pregnancy Causes Autism And ADHD
Exposure to antidepressant drugs during pregnancy does not increase the risk for autism and ADHD. It's the severity of mother's depression that increases the risk.
Advertisement
‘Obesity and diabetes in general cause stress on the human body, and these conditions impact the long-term neural development of children.’
Tweet it Now
"We have long known that obesity and diabetes aren't good for mothers' health," said study author Xiaobin Wang from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health in the US.
"Now we have further evidence that these conditions also impact the long-term neural development of their children," Wang added. For the study, published in the journal Paediatrics, researchers analysed 2,734 mother-child pairs between 1998 and 2014.
![Chinese Scientists Create]( "Chinese Scientists Create")
The transgenic macaques behaved similarly to humans afflicted with autism, this meant they could serve as a reliable animal model for researching its cause and cure.
They collected data on maternal pre-pregnancy weight and whether the mothers had diabetes before getting pregnant or whether they developed gestational diabetes during pregnancy.
Over 100 children were diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder over the course of the study claimed to be the first to look at obesity and diabetes in tandem as potential risk factors. "Our research highlights that the risk for autism begins in utero," said another researcher M Daniele Fallin.
The children whose mothers were both diabetic and obese were more than four times as likely to develop autism compared to children born to normal weight mothers without diabetes, the study found.
Along with pre-conception diabetes, children of obese mothers who developed gestational diabetes during pregnancy were also at a significantly higher risk of being diagnosed with autism. Obesity and diabetes in general cause stress on the human body, the researchers concluded.
Source: IANS
Chinese Scientists Create 'Autistic' Monkeys to Study Autism
The transgenic macaques behaved similarly to humans afflicted with autism, this meant they could serve as a reliable animal model for researching its cause and cure.
Advertisement
They collected data on maternal pre-pregnancy weight and whether the mothers had diabetes before getting pregnant or whether they developed gestational diabetes during pregnancy.
Over 100 children were diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder over the course of the study claimed to be the first to look at obesity and diabetes in tandem as potential risk factors. "Our research highlights that the risk for autism begins in utero," said another researcher M Daniele Fallin.
The children whose mothers were both diabetic and obese were more than four times as likely to develop autism compared to children born to normal weight mothers without diabetes, the study found.
Along with pre-conception diabetes, children of obese mothers who developed gestational diabetes during pregnancy were also at a significantly higher risk of being diagnosed with autism. Obesity and diabetes in general cause stress on the human body, the researchers concluded.
Source: IANS
Premature Babies at High Risk of Developing Autism Later
Babies born more than 13 weeks prematurely run a serious risk of brain damage, autism and learning difficulties as they are exposed to numerous stress factors.
Advertisement
Advertisement
|
Advertisement
Recommended Reading
Latest Child Health News
Doctors have reported that children have been hit hard by the recent increase in flu cases, with the H3N2 virus being a significant contributing factor.
Men and women are impacted uniquely by childhood trauma: emotional trauma and sexual abuse impact women, while emotional and physical neglect impact men.
Bedsharing with infants is linked to increased duration of breastfeeding, according to the night-time feeding guidelines.
To tackle the rising cases of autism among kids, steady screening programs may make a difference in autism diagnosis and treatment.
Children with autism tend to receive vision screening less often, despite having a high risk for eye problems.