No clear link between maternal diabetes during pregnancy and ADHD in children

An international research team co-led by Dr Kenneth Man and Professor Ian Wong from the UCL School of Pharmacy has made a significant breakthrough in understanding the relationship between maternal diabetes and Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) in children. Their latest study, published in Nature Medicine, analysed data from an extensive cohort of over 3.6 million mother-child pairs across multiple countries. This 20-year longitudinal research provides critical insights, debunking the long-held assumption that maternal diabetes during pregnancy directly causes ADHD.

In a world where approximately 16% of pregnant women experience high blood sugar levels, and with rising instances due to factors such as obesity and advancing maternal age, understanding the implications of maternal health on child development has never been more vital. ADHD, affecting 2% to 7% of children globally, poses significant challenges to affected individuals and society. Hence, the study's findings are particularly relevant, offering a new perspective on the impact of maternal diabetes.

The research team meticulously analysed population-based data spanning from 2001 to 2014, with follow-ups until 2020, from Hong Kong, New Zealand, Taiwan, Finland, Iceland, Norway, and Sweden. Their findings indicate that children born to mothers with any form of diabetes during pregnancy exhibited a 16% higher risk of developing ADHD. Notably, the risk increased by 10% for gestational diabetes and 39% for pregestational diabetes. These numbers initially suggested a significant association between maternal diabetes and increased ADHD risk in offspring.

However, the study takes a turn, revealing a groundbreaking discovery. When comparing siblings where one was exposed to gestational diabetes and the other was not, the researchers found no significant difference in ADHD risk. This pivotal finding suggests that genetic and familial factors, rather than gestational diabetes itself, may play a more substantial role in the development of ADHD, challenging earlier assumptions in the field.

Dr Kenneth Man, reflecting on the study's process and findings, remarks, "Our multinational collaboration has brought new understanding to this complex issue. Contrary to previous studies, our research highlights a modest association between maternal diabetes and ADHD, predominantly influenced by genetic and familial factors, especially in cases of gestational diabetes."

He emphasises the importance of a holistic approach for women planning pregnancy, considering the overall risk profile beyond gestational diabetes. Dr Man also underlines the need for further research into the roles of genetic factors and blood sugar control during critical stages of embryonic brain development.

Research paper in Nature Medicine: https://rdcu.be/dD593

Academic profile for Dr Kenneth Man: https://profiles.ucl.ac.uk/67713-kenneth-man

Academic profile for Professor Ian Wong: https://profiles.ucl.ac.uk/35872-ian-wong

Academic profile for Dr Wallis Lau: https://profiles.ucl.ac.uk/64205-wallis-lau

Contact:
Dr Kenneth Man: kenneth.man@ucl.ac.uk

X: @KennethKCMan