A groundbreaking international study, led by Professor Ian Wong Chi-kei from the University of Hong Kong, has challenged previous research findings by revealing no definitive association between maternal diabetes during pregnancy and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) in children. Published in the esteemed Nature Medicine journal, the study offers valuable insights into a condition that impacts approximately one in 20 children worldwide.
The research, conducted by a team of 28 experts, examined data from 583,058 mother-child pairs in Hong Kong, forming part of a cohort of 3.6 million pairs from various countries, including Taiwan, New Zealand, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden. Over a span of two decades (2001-2020), the team meticulously analyzed the relationship between maternal diabetes during pregnancy and the risk of ADHD in offspring.
Contrary to prevailing beliefs, the study concluded that maternal diabetes during pregnancy is unlikely to be a direct causal factor for ADHD. Rather, the findings suggest that genetic and familial factors play a more significant role in influencing ADHD risks in children.
While past research has highlighted concerns about the impact of high blood sugar levels during pregnancy on fetal brain and nervous system development, this study underscores the nuanced nature of the relationship between maternal diabetes and ADHD risk. Although children born to mothers with gestational diabetes exhibited a slightly elevated risk of ADHD, further analysis revealed that this association was not significant when comparing siblings with and without exposure to gestational diabetes.
“This unexpected result indicates that the previously identified risk of ADHD associated with gestational diabetes is likely attributable to shared genetic and familial factors,” the paper elucidated.
Professor Wong emphasized that the study’s findings challenge previous assumptions and underscore the importance of considering holistic risk profiles in maternal healthcare. While acknowledging a modest association between maternal diabetes and ADHD, Wong stressed the need for future research to delve deeper into genetic and familial influences on neurodevelopmental disorders.
In light of these findings, the study urges women planning pregnancy to adopt a comprehensive approach to healthcare, emphasizing the importance of addressing broader risk factors rather than solely focusing on gestational diabetes. By advancing our understanding of the complex interplay between maternal health and child neurodevelopment, this research paves the way for more informed decision-making and targeted interventions in maternal and child healthcare.
