Published February 20,
Maternal Diabetes Associated With Increased Risk of Epilepsy in Children
Maternal diabetes was linked with an increased risk of epilepsy in offspring, according to a study published in Pediatrics.
The retrospective study examined live births in Canada between 2002 and 2018. About 160 000 children were exposed to either type 1, type 2, or gestational diabetes in the womb. Compared with approximately 1.9 million children who weren’t exposed to diabetes in utero, children who were had a greater likelihood of developing epilepsy. Although all forms of the disease were associated with increased risk, it was more pronounced for type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
The researchers explained that the association could be mediated by pregnancy complications that are more common in individuals with diabetes, including cesarean deliveries, preterm birth, preeclampsia, congenital anomalies, and macrosomia. Fetal development may also be affected by complications of diabetes such as hyperglycemia, autoimmune dysfunction, and inflammatory conditions.
Considering the increased risk of epilepsy in children born to mothers with diabetes, the researchers highlighted the importance of early and more frequent monitoring for these children.