Maternal Glycemia and Its Pattern Associated with Offspring Neurobehavioral Development: A Chinese Birth Cohort Study.

Background/objectives: This study investigates the impact of maternal glycemic levels during early and late pregnancy on offspring neurodevelopment in China.

Methods: Fasting plasma glucose (FPG) and triglyceride (TG) levels were measured in maternal blood during pregnancy, and the TyG index was calculated to assess insulin resistance. Hyperglycemia was defined as FPG > 5.1 mmol/L. Neurodevelopmental outcomes in offspring aged 6-36 months were evaluated using the China Developmental Scale for Children, focusing on developmental delay (DD) and developmental quotient (DQ). Mothers were categorized into four glycemic groups: healthy glycemia group (HGG), early pregnancy hyperglycemia group (EHG), late pregnancy hyperglycemia group (LHG), and full-term hyperglycemia group (FHG). Linear and logistic regression models were applied.

Results: Among 1888 mother-child pairs, hyperglycemia and FPG were associated with an increased risk of overall DD (aOR = 1.68; 95% CI 1.07-2.64) and lower DQ (aBeta = -1.53; 95% CI -2.70 to -0.36). Elevated FPG was linked to DD in fine motor and social behaviors. Compared to HGG, LHG and FHG significantly increased the risk of overall DD (aOR = 2.18; 95% CI 1.26-3.77; aOR = 2.64; 95% CI 1.38-5.05), whereas EHG did not. Male offspring were particularly vulnerable to early pregnancy hyperglycemia (aBeta = -2.80; 95% CI -4.36 to -1.34; aOR = 2.05; 95% CI 1.10-3.80).

Conclusions: Maternal glycemic levels during pregnancy influence offspring neurodevelopment, with persistent hyperglycemia significantly increasing DD risk. Early pregnancy hyperglycemia particularly affects male offspring, underscoring the need for glycemic management during pregnancy.