A 10-year follow-up study of 100 children found that prenatal exposure to gestational diabetes was not associated with widespread motor problems, but children exposed showed subtle, task-specific differences: they performed worse at squats and rolling a ball with their non-dominant hand, but better at forward bends. According to Gram Research analysis, these differences were small and did not indicate generalized movement impairment, suggesting any effects from gestational diabetes on motor development are limited to specific tasks rather than affecting overall physical ability.
Researchers followed 100 children for 10 years to see if mothers’ gestational diabetes during pregnancy affected how well kids could run, jump, and move. Gestational diabetes is a type of diabetes that develops during pregnancy. According to Gram Research analysis, most motor skills developed normally in both groups, but children exposed to gestational diabetes showed subtle differences in three specific tasks: they had slightly more trouble doing squats and rolling a ball with their non-dominant hand, but were actually better at forward bends. These differences were small and didn’t indicate major movement problems, suggesting prenatal exposure to gestational diabetes may create minor, task-specific effects on motor development that persist into school age.
Key Statistics
A 10-year cohort study of 100 children found that prenatal exposure to diet-treated gestational diabetes was associated with poorer performance in squats and ball rolling with the non-dominant hand, with large effect sizes for ball rolling, but did not indicate generalized gross motor impairment.
In a 2026 follow-up study of children exposed to gestational diabetes during pregnancy, 50 exposed children showed task-specific motor differences in only 3 out of multiple motor assessments, with most motor skills developing comparably to the 50 unexposed children.
Children prenatally exposed to gestational diabetes demonstrated better performance in straddle forward bends compared to unexposed peers in a 10-year longitudinal study, suggesting prenatal metabolic exposure affects specific motor pathways rather than overall coordination.
The Quick Take
- What they studied: Whether children whose mothers had gestational diabetes during pregnancy develop different movement and coordination abilities compared to children from uncomplicated pregnancies, tracked over 10 years.
- Who participated: 100 children around age 10 (50 whose mothers had gestational diabetes managed with diet, and 50 from pregnancies without diabetes). The children were part of a larger study that had tracked them since before birth.
- Key finding: Children exposed to gestational diabetes showed subtle differences in three specific motor tasks: they performed worse at squats and rolling a ball with their non-dominant hand, but performed better at forward bends. Most other movement abilities were similar between groups.
- What it means for you: If your child was exposed to gestational diabetes before birth, they’re unlikely to have major movement problems. Any differences that appear are small and task-specific. Talk with your pediatrician if you have concerns about your child’s physical development, but this research doesn’t suggest widespread motor issues.
The Research Details
This was a cohort study, meaning researchers followed the same group of children over time and compared two groups: those exposed to gestational diabetes before birth and those not exposed. The study lasted 10 years, starting before the children were born and following them until around age 10. Researchers tested the children’s gross motor skills, which are large movements involving the whole body like running, jumping, and balancing. They measured six different motor abilities: how well kids could coordinate movements, move quickly and change direction, stretch and bend, jump explosively, do repeated movements without getting tired, and keep their balance. The researchers used special statistical methods to analyze the results because some of the movement measurements didn’t follow normal patterns.
Following children for 10 years gives researchers a much clearer picture than short-term studies. This long-term approach helps determine whether early differences in fetal behavior (which researchers had measured in the original study) actually predict lasting changes in how children move and develop. Understanding these connections helps doctors know what to watch for and whether prenatal diabetes exposure needs special attention during childhood development.
This study has several strengths: it followed children for a full decade, used a matched comparison group, tested multiple specific motor skills rather than just one, and applied statistical corrections to reduce false findings. The sample size of 100 children is moderate, which is reasonable for this type of long-term research. The main limitation is that the study only included children whose mothers received diet treatment for gestational diabetes, not those who needed insulin, so results may not apply to all gestational diabetes cases.
What the Results Show
Children exposed to gestational diabetes performed similarly to the comparison group in most motor tests. Out of all the motor skills tested, only three showed statistically significant differences between groups after applying statistical corrections. Children in the gestational diabetes group performed worse at doing squats (a large effect size) and rolling a ball with their non-dominant hand (the largest effect size), meaning these differences were more noticeable. Interestingly, children in the gestational diabetes group performed better at the straddle forward bend, showing they had slightly more flexibility in this specific movement. The researchers emphasized that these differences were subtle and task-specific rather than indicating widespread motor problems.
No significant differences appeared in balance-related tasks between the two groups. The pattern of differences didn’t follow a simple explanation like ‘gestational diabetes makes all motor skills worse.’ Instead, the results showed mixed outcomes: some tasks were harder, one was easier, and most were unaffected. This suggests that prenatal exposure to gestational diabetes may affect specific motor pathways or muscle groups rather than causing general movement problems.
Earlier research had shown that gestational diabetes was linked to neurodevelopmental differences in early childhood, but long-term effects on motor skills remained unclear. This 10-year follow-up study extends previous knowledge by showing that early fetal behavioral differences associated with gestational diabetes may translate into subtle, persistent motor variations during school age. However, the findings suggest these effects are much smaller and more specific than might have been expected from earlier childhood studies.
The study only included children whose mothers managed gestational diabetes through diet alone, not those requiring insulin treatment, so findings may not apply to all gestational diabetes cases. The sample size of 100 is moderate for a 10-year follow-up study. The study couldn’t determine whether the subtle motor differences have any real-world impact on children’s daily activities or sports performance. Researchers couldn’t identify exactly which aspects of the gestational diabetes environment caused these specific motor differences.
The Bottom Line
Children exposed to gestational diabetes during pregnancy do not require special motor skill interventions based on this research alone. Standard pediatric monitoring and encouragement of physical activity remain appropriate. If parents notice specific concerns about their child’s coordination, strength, or flexibility, discussing these observations with a pediatrician is reasonable, but this study does not suggest widespread screening is needed. Confidence level: Moderate, based on a single 10-year follow-up study of diet-treated gestational diabetes.
Parents whose children were exposed to gestational diabetes during pregnancy may find this reassuring, as it shows major motor problems are unlikely. Pediatricians caring for these children should be aware that subtle task-specific differences may exist but don’t indicate developmental delay. Researchers studying long-term effects of gestational diabetes should note these findings for future investigations. This research is less relevant for children whose mothers had insulin-treated gestational diabetes, as they weren’t included in this study.
The differences identified in this study were detectable at approximately age 10, suggesting any motor effects from gestational diabetes exposure persist into school age. Whether these differences continue, improve, or worsen during adolescence and adulthood remains unknown and would require further research.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will my child have movement problems if I had gestational diabetes during pregnancy?
Research shows most children develop normal motor skills regardless of gestational diabetes exposure. A 10-year study found only subtle, task-specific differences in three motor tasks, not widespread movement problems. Discuss any specific concerns with your pediatrician.
What motor skills are affected by prenatal gestational diabetes exposure?
A 2026 study identified three specific tasks with differences: children exposed performed worse at squats and ball rolling with their non-dominant hand, but better at forward bends. Most other motor abilities were unaffected, suggesting effects are limited and task-specific.
Should I get my child tested for motor problems if they were exposed to gestational diabetes?
Standard pediatric monitoring is appropriate, but this research doesn’t suggest special screening is needed. If you notice specific coordination or strength concerns, discuss them with your pediatrician, but widespread motor impairment is unlikely based on current evidence.
Do these motor differences affect children’s ability to play sports or exercise?
The study didn’t measure real-world impact on sports or daily activities. The differences were subtle and task-specific. Most children exposed to gestational diabetes developed normal motor abilities and should be able to participate in typical physical activities.
How long do motor differences from gestational diabetes exposure last?
This study followed children to age 10 and found differences were still detectable at that age. Whether these differences persist, improve, or worsen during adolescence remains unknown and requires additional research.
Want to Apply This Research?
- Track your child’s participation in specific motor activities weekly: number of times they practice squats or lunges, ball-rolling exercises with both hands, and flexibility activities like forward bends. Record any observations about ease or difficulty with these specific movements.
- Encourage balanced physical activity that includes strength training (squats, lunges), hand-eye coordination practice (ball rolling, catching), and flexibility work (stretching, yoga). Make these activities fun and game-based rather than clinical. Track which activities your child enjoys most and which feel challenging.
- Every 3 to 6 months, reassess your child’s comfort level with the three motor tasks identified in this study: squats, ball rolling with non-dominant hand, and forward bends. Note any improvements or persistent difficulties. Share observations with your pediatrician during annual checkups to ensure normal development.
This research describes associations between prenatal gestational diabetes exposure and subtle motor differences in school-age children but does not establish that gestational diabetes causes motor problems. The findings apply specifically to children whose mothers managed gestational diabetes through diet alone. This information is educational and should not replace professional medical advice. Parents concerned about their child’s motor development should consult with their pediatrician. Pregnant individuals should work with their healthcare provider on gestational diabetes management, as this condition requires medical attention for the health of both mother and baby.
This research translation is published by Gram Research, the science division of Gram, an AI-powered nutrition tracking app.