A mother’s weight and metabolic conditions during pregnancy are
not just potentially harmful to herself – new research suggests
these factors can play a key role in her child’s development as
well. A major study conducted by researchers at the University
of California, Davis MIND Institute revealed that mothers who
are diabetic or obese while pregnant had a significantly
increased risk of having a child with autism or developmental
delays compared to pregnant women of normal weight without
diabetes. While previous studies have been conducted on a
possible link between diabetes and a risk of autism, the authors
said this is the first study to expand on maternal metabolic
conditions to include both obesity and hypertension. According
to the researchers, the results bring the scientific community
one step further in understanding how a child’s environment
plays a role in the progression of developmental disabilities.
“This study was investigating environmental conditions that
could affect the developing child du