What Research Shows About Maternal Diabetes and Autism Risk

For many years, scientists have investigated whether maternal diabetes during pregnancy might influence autism risk in children. This question matters because both Type 1 diabetes and autism are conditions that affect many families, and understanding any connections could help with prevention and early identification strategies.

Researchers have published multiple studies and meta-analyses on this topic, but results have varied. To make sense of these findings, a team of researchers recently conducted an umbrella review—a comprehensive examination of existing meta-analyses—to determine what the strongest evidence actually shows.

The umbrella review examined 11 different meta-analyses published through March 2026. Across these analyses, researchers found a consistent pattern: maternal diabetes during pregnancy was associated with an increased risk of autism spectrum disorder in children.

The strength of this association differed depending on the type of diabetes. Preexisting diabetes—both Type 1 and Type 2—showed a stronger and more consistent link to autism risk. Gestational diabetes (diabetes that develops during pregnancy) also showed a positive association with autism risk, but this connection was less consistent across different studies.

When researchers reviewed these studies, they found moderate to high variability in results, meaning different studies sometimes reached different conclusions. This heterogeneity can occur for many reasons: differences in how autism was diagnosed, variation in study populations, different ways of measuring maternal diabetes, and other methodological factors.

Because of this variation and the substantial overlap in which studies were included across the different meta-analyses, the researchers presented their findings as a descriptive summary rather than attempting to combine all results into a single new analysis. This approach helps readers understand what the research landscape actually shows—a general pattern of association with meaningful variation in the details.

This umbrella review confirms that researchers across multiple studies have observed a connection between maternal diabetes and autism risk in offspring. For individuals with Type 1 diabetes planning pregnancy or currently pregnant, this information is part of the broader conversation about pregnancy planning and health management.

Understanding this association is one piece of the larger puzzle of autism risk factors. Continued research into the mechanisms—how maternal diabetes might influence fetal development—could help scientists better understand both conditions. Anyone with Type 1 diabetes who is pregnant or planning pregnancy should discuss their individual risk factors and care plan with their healthcare team.

Source: Frontiers in public health. Evidence type: PubMed indexed literature. Type1Cure is an information and intelligence hub, not a medical advice service. This article summarizes published research and does not provide diagnosis, treatment, or personal medical guidance. Always talk to your own care team before changing anything about your Type 1 diabetes management.