Maternal hyperglycemia and long-term consequences for human offspring.

Abstract

Exposure to maternal diabetes is considered one of the factors during foetal development, leading not only to several complications during pregnancy but also to an increased risk of chronic diseases in later life and exerting a lasting impact on the health of offspring. Animal models play a role in establishing a clear cause-and-effect relationship between prenatal exposure to maternal diabetes and the enduring well-being of offspring, helping to control for variables that could distort the results. This study aims to systematically analysis long-term offspring complications associated with maternal diabetes, drawing insights from both human and animal studies. Analysis expands knowledge about possible new directions of scientific research concerning the prevention and treatment of hyperglycemia in pregnancy through a detailed analysis of the mechanisms of its influence on fetal development.