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Published on: August 12, 2016
Low glucose challenge test result as a potential risk factor for delays in early child development: the Japan
Satoshi Shinohara1, Reiji Kojima2, Sanae Otawa3
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Yamanashi Prefectural Central Hospital, 1-1-1 Fujimi, Kofu, Yamanashi 400-8506 Japan.
Insights
Low maternal glucose challenge test (GCT) results are linked to neurodevelopmental delays in children. This study found higher risks in communication, motor, and problem-solving skills, particularly in male offspring.
Area of Science:
- Obstetrics and Gynecology
- Pediatric Neurology
- Developmental Pediatrics
Background:
- Maternal glucose levels during pregnancy can impact fetal development.
- The 50-g glucose challenge test (GCT) is a common screening tool for gestational diabetes mellitus.
- The association between low GCT results and offspring neurodevelopment requires further clarification.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between maternal 50-g glucose challenge test (GCT) results and neurodevelopmental outcomes in 3-year-old children.
- To determine if lower-than-average GCT results are associated with early neurodevelopmental delays in offspring.
Main Methods:
- A nationwide prospective cohort study of 12,472 women from the Japan Environment and Children's Study.
- Participants were divided into a low-GCT group (≤10th percentile, ≤81 mg/dL) and a non-low-GCT group (82–139 mg/dL), excluding those with gestational diabetes or GCT ≥140 mg/dL.
- Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to assess the association between low GCT results and neurodevelopmental delays using the Ages and Stages Questionnaire, Third Edition.
Main Results:
- Infants born to mothers with low GCT results exhibited a significantly higher incidence of neurodevelopmental delays compared to those with normal GCT results.
- Specific delays were noted in communication (aOR 1.35), gross motor (aOR 1.31), fine motor (aOR 1.26), and problem-solving skills (aOR 1.24).
- No significant association was found for female offspring.
Conclusions:
- Low maternal 50-g glucose challenge test results are associated with neurodevelopmental outcomes in children at 3 years of age.
- The observed association between low GCT results and neurodevelopmental delays is influenced by the offspring's sex.
- These findings highlight the importance of considering maternal glucose screening results in assessing potential neurodevelopmental risks in children.
Objectives:
To clarify the relationship between maternal 50-g glucose challenge test (GCT) results and neurodevelopment in 3-year-old children and determine if low GCT results are linked to early neurodevelopmental delays in offspring.
Methods:
In this nationwide prospective cohort study, we extracted data from 104,062 foetal records from the Japan Environment and Children's Study. Outcomes comprised developmental status cut-off values for the domains of the Ages and Stages Questionnaire, Third Edition. The exclusion criteria were gestational diabetes mellitus, diabetes during pregnancy, and GCT results ≥ 140 mg/dL. Based on these criteria, we included 12,472 women who had undergone a GCT between 14 and 27 weeks of gestation and divided the participants into a low-GCT group (cohort specific ≤ 10th percentile, ≤ 81 mg/dL) and a non-low-GCT group (82-139 mg/dL). Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the association between low GCT results and early neurodevelopmental delays.
Results:
Compared with infants born to women with normal GCT results, those born to women with low GCT results showed a significantly higher incidence of neurodevelopmental delays, particularly in communication, gross motor, fine motor, and problem-solving skills (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 1.35, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.02-1.78; adjusted OR 1.31, 95% CI 1.01-1.69; adjusted OR 1.26, 95% CI 1.02-1.56; adjusted OR 1.24, 95% CI 1.01-1.54, respectively). No significant increase in the adjusted ORs (95% CIs) was observed for female offspring.
Conclusions:
Low maternal GCT results are associated with offspring neurodevelopment at 3 years of age, with the association influenced by offspring sex.
Supplementary Information:
The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s40200-025-01568-x.
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