A Link Between Gestational Diabetes and Language Delays

by Pattie Hughes | More from this Blogger

13 Nov 2008 10:09 AM

Gestational Diabetes is a relatively common complication of pregnancy, affecting between three and eight percent of pregnant women. Gestational diabetes has been linked to problems such as large size of the baby, a greater risk of needing interventions and birth and a higher rate of c section.

For the baby, risk associated with gestational diabetes include an increased risk of developing type II diabetes later in life and a higher risk of jaundice or hypoglycemia at birth. Recent research suggests another potential long term complication.

French researchers have found a link between gestational diabetes and language delays. The study was published in the journal Pediatrics. Two groups of women were included in the study, those diagnosed with gestational diabetes during pregnancy and women with no history of the disorder.

Researchers found the children of women with gestational diabetes were tested between 15 months and seven years old for language development. The children born to mothers diagnosed with gestational diabetes achieved lower scores on tests of language development.

Interestingly, researchers found that the education level of the mother plays a part in the risk of language delay. Mothers with gestational diabetes who had higher levels of education had children less likely to be affected. Researchers haven't determined the reason for this difference, but hypothesize that it could be due to genetics or greater exposure to experiences that encourage language development.

Prevention of gestational diabetes is the best way to reduce the likelihood of babies being affected in this way. A healthy diet, exercise and controlling weight gain may offer some protection against gestational diabetes. There is some evidence to suggest a diet high in fiber from sources such as apples, beans, barley and prunes may reduce the risk of developing gestational diabetes.

If you are diagnosed with gestational diabetes, it is important to control your blood sugar. Follow your doctor's advice regarding diet, exercise and testing your blood sugar.

Related Articles:

Managing Gestational Diabetes

Causes and Treatment of Gestational Diabetes

Learn more about Pattie Hughes

Pattie Hughes is a freelance writer and mother of four young children. She and her husband have been married since 1992. Pattie holds a degree in Elementary Education from Florida Atlantic University.

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Libby Pelham (12866) 14 Nov 2008 06:34 AM

I had gestational diabetes and my son talks like there is no tomorrow and, I hate to brag, but I think his vocabulary is excellent compared to others his age. He's always loved being read to, so maybe that had something to do with it.

Valorie Delp (49340) 14 Nov 2008 08:18 AM

I kind of wonder if the link is between gd or btwn the other complications that gd causes--like prematurity? I also wonder if the variables of birth order were ruled out. IME, first borns almost always talk more than subsequent siblings! LOL

Pattie Hughes (7652) 14 Nov 2008 11:02 AM

Libby, since your son loves being read to, he is likely receiving the same benefits of the "highly educated mother" group in the study. Those kids didn't have the language delays of other groups. I'm a firm believer in reading to kids to encourage language development.

Val, I think they did control for prematurity, not sure about birth order. They hypothesize it could be related to changes in brain development as a result of exposure to repeated high blood sugar levels. I wonder if they looked at the sugar level of the mothers to see if there was a link between control of blood sugar level and the outcome in terms of language development. (since some are more vigilant than others in this regard) There was nothing about that in the published study though. I'm sure more will be done in the future and more information will be learned as these kids start school.