New York: A new American study has shown that diabetes during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of brain and nervous system problems in children, particularly autism.

According to Qatar News Agency, the study, published in The Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology journal, showed that diabetes diagnosed before pregnancy increases the risk of one or more neurodevelopmental disorders by 39 percent compared to gestational diabetes, which begins during pregnancy and often resolves afterward.

The researchers emphasize the importance of medical support for women at risk of diabetes and continued monitoring of their children. Dr. Magdalena Janicka of New York University Grossman School of Medicine noted that while such analysis allows for precise comparisons, it does not necessarily elucidate the causes or underlying mechanisms.

The study reinforces evidence that diabetes during pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of brain and nervous system issues in children, including autism. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) in the United States reports that diabetes affects up to nine percent of pregnancies in the country, with the incidence on the rise.

Children born to mothers with gestational diabetes face a 25 percent increased risk of autism, a 30 percent increased risk of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, a 32 percent increased risk of intellectual disability, a 20 percent increased risk of communication problems, a 17 percent increased risk of motor problems, and a 16 percent increased risk of learning disorders compared to children whose mothers did not have gestational diabetes.