Diabetes is a chronic medical condition affecting millions of individuals worldwide. This disease is caused by either the inability of the body to produce insulin or the inability of the insulin produced to function effectively.

For women, diabetes can create complications during pregnancy, where hormones affect glucose metabolism. Gestational diabetes affects approximately 2-10% of pregnancies in the United States. Diabetes during pregnancy can have harmful effects on both the mother and the child, including infant biological aging.

What is Infant Biological Aging?

Infant biological aging is a phenomenon where the measured age of an individual’s biological markers differs from the chronological age. It is a concept that refers to the process of aging that occurs within the body.

The biological age of an infant can be determined using various biomarkers such as DNA methylation and telomere length. Both of these biomarkers are found to be related to several age-related diseases and health conditions.

Role of Diabetes in Infant Biological Aging

A recent study conducted by the Environmental influences on Child Health Outcomes (ECHO) program found that maternal diabetes during pregnancy can accelerate infant biological aging.

The study observed the relationship between gestational diabetes and infant epigenetic age acceleration, which refers to the difference between the biological age and chronological age of the infant based on DNA methylation patterns.

The study found that infants born to mothers with gestational diabetes had higher epigenetic age acceleration at birth compared to infants born to mothers without gestational diabetes.

The significant epigenetic age acceleration was found to be particularly in male infants and in infants born to women with poorly controlled gestational diabetes.

Mechanism of Infant Biological Aging due to Diabetes

The underlying mechanism of how maternal diabetes affects infant biological aging is not well understood. However, several hypotheses have been proposed to explain this relationship.

One of the theories is based on the intrauterine environment, where exposure to high levels of glucose and insulin in the womb could lead to fetus metabolic changes and epigenetic modifications.

Another theory suggests that maternal diabetes leads to chronic inflammation, oxidative stress, and increased production of reactive oxygen species, all of which have been linked to epigenetic alterations.

Impact of Infant Biological Aging on Health

Infant biological aging may have a significant impact on the health outcomes of children in later life.

Several studies have shown that epigenetic age acceleration in early life is associated with several age-related diseases, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer.

A study conducted by the University of Exeter found that children with high levels of epigenetic age acceleration at birth had a higher risk of developing cardiovascular disease during their lifetime.

Similarly, another study conducted by the University of Bristol found that children with high levels of epigenetic age acceleration were more likely to develop type 2 diabetes in adolescence.

Conclusion

The impact of maternal diabetes during pregnancy on infant biological aging highlights the importance of early interventions to prevent and manage gestational diabetes.

To reduce the risk of adverse health outcomes in both mother and child, it is important to implement appropriate screening and monitoring programs for pregnant women with diabetes. Additionally, promoting healthy lifestyle habits such as exercise, healthy eating, and weight management before and during pregnancy can help prevent gestational diabetes altogether.