‘Forever chemicals’ may increase gestational diabetes risk in pregnant women

Pregnant women exposed to ‘forever chemicals’ could be at greater risk of developing gestational diabetes, a recent study suggests.

PFAS (per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances) are toxic chemicals that do not break down in the body, leaching from non-stick cookware, waterproof textiles and takeaway containers into food or via skin contact and building up in vital organs.

Researchers analysed 79 animal and human studies evaluating the relationship between PFAS, diabetes and pregnancy.

They found that higher exposure led to consistently higher insulin resistance, where the body’s cells do not respond properly to insulin, and higher rates of gestational diabetes.

The research was conducted at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai in New York City.

Dr Sandra India-Aldana, co-first study author, said: “This is the most comprehensive synthesis of evidence to date examining how PFAS exposure relates not only to diabetes risk, but also to the underlying clinical markers that precede disease.

“Our findings suggest that pregnancy may be a particularly sensitive window during which PFAS exposure may increase risk for gestational diabetes.

Gestational diabetes has been rising for the past decade.

In babies, it may lead to high birth weight, preterm labour and increased risk of obesity and type 2 diabetes later in life.

Mothers may also face higher risk of high blood pressure and developing diabetes in future.

Dr Xin Yu, co-first study author, said: “Gestational diabetes has lasting implications for both mother and child.

“This research supports the growing recognition that environmental exposures like PFAS should be part of conversations around preventive care and risk reduction during pregnancy.”

Dr Damaskini Valvi, senior study author, said: “These results are alarming as almost everyone is exposed to PFAS, and gestational diabetes can have severe long-term complications for mothers and their children.

“We need larger longitudinal studies with well-characterised type 1 and type 2 diabetes cases to fully characterise PFAS impacts on diabetes risk and its long-term complications for affected individuals and their families.

“These results underscore the importance of considering PFAS and other hazardous environmental chemical exposures as part of comprehensive clinical risk assessment and preventive care, particularly during pregnancy.”