Maternal Metabolic Conditions and Risk for Autism and Other Neurodevelopmental Disorders

WHAT'S KNOWN ON THIS SUBJECT: Diabetes during pregnancy has been associated with general development impairments in offspring; however, associations between autism and maternal diabetes have been inconsistent. Few studies have examined related conditions accompanied by underlying increased insulin resistance and their association with developmental outcomes. WHAT THIS STUDY ADDS: This population-based study in young children provides evidence that maternal metabolic conditions are a risk factor for autism, developmental delay without autistic symptoms, and impairments in several domains of development, particularly expressive language, after adjusting for sociodemographic and other characteristics.