Cognitive Function during and after Pregnancy and One-Year Postpartum in Type 1 Diabetes: A Longitudinal Study

Scientific paper - Original scientific paper

• Author: Marina Ivanišević
• Author: Vesna Elveđi Gašparović
• Author: Mislav Herman
• Author: Josip Delmiš
• Author's institution: University of Zagreb; School of Medicine; (Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics)
• Scientific / art field, discipline and subdiscipline: BIOMEDICINE AND HEALTHCARE; Clinical Medical Sciences; Gynecology and Obstetrics

Abstract (english)

Background: This study aims to compare the cognitive function of women with T1DM during and after pregnancy, as well as one year post-delivery. Additionally, it aims to investigate the impacts of leptin and body mass index on cognitive function.

Methods: A prospective longitudinal cohort study was conducted involving 64 pregnant women with T1DM. Cognitive function was assessed using a cognitive assessment battery during the first trimester, immediately after delivery, and one year postpartum for the final assessment. This program evaluates a wide range of cognitive abilities and provides a comprehensive cognitive well-being score (high-moderate-low), identifying strengths and weaknesses in reasoning, memory, attention, coordination, and perception.

Results: The average age of the participants was 30.9 years, with a mean diabetes duration of 14.9 years. Pregnant women with a BMI of 30 kg/m2 or higher faced an increased risk of reduced cognitive function, memory, and reasoning. Additionally, mothers with lower overall cognitive function and memory levels had significantly higher concentrations of leptin in their blood.

Conclusions: Cognitive functions-particularly reasoning and attention-are adversely affected in women with T1DM during pregnancy and shortly after delivery. Elevated BMI and leptin levels can be linked to worse cognitive outcomes in this population.

• Keywords (english): Adult; Body Mass Index; Cognition; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / blood; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / psychology; Female; Humans; Leptin / blood; Longitudinal Studies; Memory; Postpartum Period / psychology; Pregnancy; Pregnancy in Diabetics / blood; Pregnancy in Diabetics / psychology; Prospective Studies; Young Adult
• Language: english
• Publication type: Scientific paper - Original scientific paper
• Publication status: Published
• Peer review: Peer review
• Publication version: Published version
• Journal title: Nutrients
• Numbering: vol. 16, no. 16, 2751
• e-ISSN: 2072-6643
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.3390/nu16162751
• URN:NBN: urn:nbn:hr:105:103415
• Publication: 2024-08-17
• Project: Number: IP-2018-01-1284; Title (croatian): Prevencija hipoglikemije u trudnica s dijabetesom tipa 1; Title (english): Prevention of hypoglycemia in pregnant women with diabetes type 1; Acronym: PRE-HYPO; Leader: Marina Ivanišević; Jurisdiction: Croatia; Funding stream: Research Projects
• Document URL: https://www.mdpi.com/2072-6643/16/16/2751
• Type of resource: Text
• Access conditions: Open access
• Created on: 2025-03-24 12:09:11