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A recent study found that diabetes in pregnancy is connected with a higher risk of babies developing attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), autism and intellectual disability. "This study shows there is an association with an increased risk of neurodevelopmental disorders and impaired neurodevelopmental performance in children of mothers with diabetes," said Anushka Chelliah, M.D., a board-certified maternal-fetal medicine specialist at Obstetrix® Maternal-Fetal Medicine Specialists of Houston, part of Pediatrix® Medical Group. Dr. Chelliah added that the study does not say that diabetes causes any of these neurodevelopmental disorders. "It suggests a need for further research to clarify the associations between specific types of diabetes and the full spectrum of neurodevelopmental disorders." For people with pre-existing diabetes, she recommended optimal control before pregnancy with ideally an HgbA1c less than 6-6.5%. "This is because poor blood sugar control in early pregnancy can be associated with increased risk of congenital malformations, miscarriage and poor pregnancy outcomes,” said Dr. Chelliah. “Better blood sugar control before conception is associated with healthier pregnancies and babies."
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