PERINATAL COMPLICATIONS AND COGNITIVE-DEVELOPMENT IN 2-YEAR-OLD TO 5-YEAR-OLD CHILDREN OF DIABETIC MOTHERS

OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to assess whether perinatal complications c ontribute to lower intellectual attainment in offspring of diabetic mo thers, independent of antepartum metabolic disregulation. STUDY DESIGN : Subjects were 223 pregnant women and their singleton offspring. Eigh ty-nine women had pregestational diabetes mellitus, 99 had gestational diabetes mellitus, and 35 had normal gestational glucose metabolism. Perinatal complications were prospectively recorded on an examination checklist. The intelligence quotient of the child was assessed with th e Bayley Scales of Infant Development at age 2 years and the Stanford- Binet Intelligence Scale at age 3 to 5 years. RESULTS: No significant correlations emerged between either measure of child's intelligence qu otient and any prevalent perinatal complication, after statistical cor rection for socioeconomic status, race or ethnic origin, patient group , and antepartum metabolic control. CONCLUSIONS: Given prevailing prac tices in diabetes management and obstetric and neonatal care, the effe cts of prevalent perinatal complications on the intellectual developme nt of offspring of diabetic mothers appear minimal.