Abstract
AIMS OF THE STUDY: Our purpose was to assess whether the type and control of maternal diabetes, and its perinatal complications have any long term influences on children's development, behaviours, and sensroneural hearing.
STUDY METHODS & DESIGN: We looked into the notes of 89 pregnant diabetic women, delivered at Medway Maritime Hospital (Kent/ UK) between 1998 - 2003, which were selected randomly. A Questionnaire was sent to all of them, (75%) were filled and consented to participate in the study. Out of 105 children born to these 89 women (65%) were born to mothers with gestational diabetes, (28.5%) had TIDM, and (6.6%) had T2DM. We used
Griffith Developmental Scale, and generic assessment for behavioural problems. A control group of 65 children was
selected randomly from acute admissions to the assessment unit at Medway Maritime Hospital with similar criteria.