An Australian university study has found that gestational diabetes can be linked to ADHD and autism in children.

The research, a meta-analysis of 48 global studies encompassing over 9 million pregnancies, indicates a significant correlation between the condition and neurodevelopmental disorders.

The study revealed that children exposed to gestational diabetes in utero face a 36 per cent increased risk of developing ADHD and a 56 per cent higher risk of autism.

"It's an association," Diabetes Australia chief medical officer Professor David Simmons said.

"So that doesn't mean that it's causal. It just means that there is this increased likelihood."

Researchers said further study is still needed to fully examine the link.

"Longer follow-ups across childhood are also needed to examine wh

See Full Page