Gestational diabetes and offspring childhood health: Risk of congenital anomalies, mental and behavioral disorders, and morbidity. A register-based FinnGeDi study
Thesis event information
Date and time of the thesis defence
Place of the thesis defence
Leena Palotie Auditorium, University of Oulu
Topic of the dissertation
Gestational diabetes and offspring childhood health: Risk of congenital anomalies, mental and behavioral disorders, and morbidity. A register-based FinnGeDi study
Doctoral candidate
Medical Doctor Jenni Kinnunen
Faculty and unit
University of Oulu Graduate School, Faculty of Medicine, Research Unit of Clinical Medicine
Subject of study
Obstetrics and gynecology
Opponent
Professor Päivi Polo, University of Turku
Custos
Professor Marja Vääräsmäki, University of Oulu
Shadows in paradise – Gestational diabetes and offspring´s childhood health
The origins of health develop already before birth. This study found that exposure to gestational diabetes is associated with the child’s health in the long term, despite comprehensive maternity care. In Finland, one in five children is exposed to gestational diabetes.
The study showed that children exposed to gestational diabetes are more likely to have congenital anomalies. Particularly, the risk of chromosomal abnormalities was increased. Children exposed to gestational diabetes also had a one-third higher risk of mental, behavioral, and neurodevelopmental disorders compared to unexposed children, with the risk being especially pronounced in boys. Overall, 12% of children had some of these disorders by the age of 10. In addition, morbidity was higher among those exposed to gestational diabetes. These children required specialized healthcare services more often than unexposed children, and this difference was observed from early childhood through 12 years of age.
The study included nearly 60,000 children born in Finland in 2009. The study is part of the FinnGeDi study, and the data was based on national registers.
These findings highlight the importance of preventing gestational diabetes to promote children’s health. A healthy lifestyle and a safe growth environment may be particularly important for exposed children to reduce observed risks and to improve future health.
The study showed that children exposed to gestational diabetes are more likely to have congenital anomalies. Particularly, the risk of chromosomal abnormalities was increased. Children exposed to gestational diabetes also had a one-third higher risk of mental, behavioral, and neurodevelopmental disorders compared to unexposed children, with the risk being especially pronounced in boys. Overall, 12% of children had some of these disorders by the age of 10. In addition, morbidity was higher among those exposed to gestational diabetes. These children required specialized healthcare services more often than unexposed children, and this difference was observed from early childhood through 12 years of age.
The study included nearly 60,000 children born in Finland in 2009. The study is part of the FinnGeDi study, and the data was based on national registers.
These findings highlight the importance of preventing gestational diabetes to promote children’s health. A healthy lifestyle and a safe growth environment may be particularly important for exposed children to reduce observed risks and to improve future health.
Created 27.11.2025 | Updated 1.12.2025