Maternal glycemic levels during pregnancy may relate to early childhood developmental outcomes. An analysis published in the Journal of Diabetes Research evaluated associations between maternal glucose levels and educational attainment in early childhood.

The study included 13,627 children from the Born in Bradford cohort in the United Kingdom. Maternal exposures included fasting glucose, 2-hour post-load glucose, and a clinical diagnosis of gestational diabetes. The primary outcome was failure to achieve a “good level of development” based on the Early Years Foundation Stage Profile at age five. Associations were examined using multivariable Poisson regression, accounting for sibling clustering and applying multiple imputation for missing data.

Higher maternal fasting glucose measured at 26–28 weeks of gestation corresponded to an increased risk of not achieving the expected developmental level (adjusted RR 1.04; 95% CI 1.00-1.08; p=0.034). This pattern appeared more pronounced among children of Pakistani ethnicity compared with those of White British ethnicity. No association was observed for 2-hour post-load glucose levels or gestational diabetes diagnosis.

Higher maternal fasting glucose was associated with differences in early developmental outcomes in this cohort. These findings highlight potential early-life factors linked to educational attainment.