We use cookies to understand how you use our site and to improve your experience. This includes personalizing content and advertising. To learn more, click here. By continuing to use our site, you accept our use of cookies. Cookie Policy.

Features Partner Sites Information LinkXpress hp
Sign In
Advertise with Us
LGC Clinical Diagnostics

Download Mobile App




Maternal HbA1c Influences Autism Risk in Offspring

By LabMedica International staff writers
Posted on 04 Jul 2019
Epidemiologic data suggest that maternal diabetes influences the risk for autism in offspring, whereas the prevalence of autism has steadily risen in the USA, currently affecting 1 in 59 children, and boys are four to five times more likely to receive an autism diagnosis.

According to a comprehensive survey children born to women with glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) level of at least 6.5% were nearly twice as likely to receive a diagnosis of autism in the first four years of life versus offspring of mothers with HbA1c below 5.7%.

Scientists carried out a retrospective study and analyzed electronic medical records data from 35,819 mother-infant pairs (51% boys) born in hospitals connected to Kaiser Permanente Southern California (Pasadena, CA, USA) from 2012 to 2013 (maternal mean maternal age, 31 years; mean pre-pregnancy BMI, 27.2 kg/m²; 51% Hispanic). More...
The team followed the children until they received a diagnosis of autism with at least one diagnostic code or December 31, 2017. The last maternal HbA1c level in the first two trimesters of pregnancy was obtained from the electronic laboratory database. HbA1c was analyzed as a continuous variable and a categorical variable, classified as less than 5.7%, 5.7% to 5.9%, 6% to 6.5%, and greater than 6.5%.

Within the cohort, 84.9% of mothers had an HbA1c less than 5.7%; 11.7% had an HbA1c between 5.7% and 5.9; 2.4% between 6% and 6.5%; and 1% greater than 6.5%. During a median follow-up of 4.5 years, 707 children (2%) had a clinical diagnosis of autism. After adjusting for pre-pregnancy BMI and race, the Hazard Ratio (HR) for autism associated with each 1% increase of HbA1c level was 1.12 (95% CI, 0.96-1.31) for the continuous measure. Compared with children with a maternal HbA1c of less than 5.7%, children born to women with an HbA1c greater than 6.5% were nearly twice as likely to receive a diagnosis of autism during follow-up (HR = 1.79; 95% CI, 1.06-3).

Anny H. Xiang, PhD, director of biostatistics for Kaiser Permanente Southern California, said, “Maternal diabetes, if not well treated, which means hyperglycemia in utero, that increases uterine inflammation, oxidative stress and hypoxia and may alter gene expression. This can disrupt fetal brain development, increasing the risk for neural behavior disorders, such as autism.” The study was presented at the American Diabetes Association 79th Scientific Meeting held June 7-11, 2019, in San Francisco, CA, USA.

Related Links:
Kaiser Permanente Southern California


New
Gold Member
Blood Gas Analyzer
Stat Profile pHOx
Serological Pipet Controller
PIPETBOY GENIUS
New
DNA/RNA Extraction/Purification Kit
Nucleic Acid Extraction or Purification Kit
New
Gold Member
Automated Cell Culture Chemistry Analyzer
BioProfile FLEX2 Basic
Read the full article by registering today, it's FREE! It's Free!
Register now for FREE to LabMedica.com and get access to news and events that shape the world of Clinical Laboratory Medicine.
  • Free digital version edition of LabMedica International sent by email on regular basis
  • Free print version of LabMedica International magazine (available only outside USA and Canada).
  • Free and unlimited access to back issues of LabMedica International in digital format
  • Free LabMedica International Newsletter sent every week containing the latest news
  • Free breaking news sent via email
  • Free access to Events Calendar
  • Free access to LinkXpress new product services
  • REGISTRATION IS FREE AND EASY!
Click here to Register








DIASOURCE (A Biovendor Company)

Channels

Hematology

view channel
Image: CitoCBC is the world first cartridge-based CBC to be granted CLIA Waived status by FDA (Photo courtesy of CytoChip)

Disposable Cartridge-Based Test Delivers Rapid and Accurate CBC Results

Complete Blood Count (CBC) is one of the most commonly ordered lab tests, crucial for diagnosing diseases, monitoring therapies, and conducting routine health screenings. However, more than 90% of physician... Read more

Immunology

view channel
Image: A simple blood test could replace surgical biopsies for early detecion of heart transplant rejection (Photo courtesy of Shutterstock)

Blood Test Detects Organ Rejection in Heart Transplant Patients

Following a heart transplant, patients are required to undergo surgical biopsies so that physicians can assess the possibility of organ rejection. Rejection happens when the recipient’s immune system identifies... Read more

Pathology

view channel
These images illustrate how precision oncology Organ Chips recapitulate individual patients’ responses to chemotherapy (Photo courtesy of Wyss Institute at Harvard University)

Cancer Chip Accurately Predicts Patient-Specific Chemotherapy Response

Esophageal adenocarcinoma (EAC), one of the two primary types of esophageal cancer, ranks as the sixth leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide and currently lacks effective targeted therapies.... Read more
Copyright © 2000-2025 Globetech Media. All rights reserved.