Gestational diabetes and its influence on early neurodevelopment in infants: a retrospective analysis

Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is associated with adverse maternal and neonatal outcomes, but its impact on early cognitive function and neurodevelopment remains uncertain. This study evaluates cognitive and developmental outcomes in infants born to mothers with GDM compared to non-diseased mothers.

A retrospective cohort study was conducted in infants born to mothers with or without GDM. Cognitive development was assessed using the Bayley Scales of Infant Development for Chinese Revision (BSID-CR), and developmental quotient (DQ) scores were extracted for analysis. Developmental concerns were identified from infant assessment records. Logistic and linear regression analyses were applied to determine associations between GDM and early developmental outcomes, adjusting for maternal and neonatal variables.

A total of 292 infants (145 born to mothers with GDM vs. 147 controls) were eligible for study. Maternal and neonatal characteristics were comparable between the GDM and control groups. No significant differences were observed between the groups in developmental concern occurrence (32.0% vs. 33.1%, p = 0.837) or corrected BSID-CR DQ score [median 94 (IQR, 83-103) vs. 96 (IQR, 85-102), p = 0.813]. The revised logistic model showed no independent association between GDM and developmental concern occurrence (OR = 1.090, 95% CI 0.602-1.972, p = 0.776), and the revised linear model showed no independent association between GDM and corrected BSID-CR DQ score (B = -0.069, 95% CI -3.807 to 3.670, p = 0.971).

Infants born to mothers with GDM demonstrated comparable cognitive and developmental outcomes to controls. Moreover, GDM may not independently impact cognitive development in infancy when managed appropriately.