AIMS

Our goal is to contribute to an emerging body of literature regarding the association between maternal obesity in pregnancy and neurodevelopmental and psychiatric disorders in children. To achieve this goal, our primary objective is to test theoretical models of the relationship between pre-pregnancy body mass index and other clinical manifestations of maternal insulin resistance (hypertension, diabetes) and three outcomes in children: autism; attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD); and schizophrenia.

HYPOTHESIS

We hypothesize that a high pre-pregnancy body mass index will be associated with an increased risk of adverse neurodevelopmental and psychiatric outcomes among children.

VARIABLES

Exposures (maternal): Pre-pregnancy body mass index, weight gain during pregnancy, hypertensive disorders of pregnancy, diabetes

Outcomes (children): Autism, ADHD, symptoms of schizophrenia

Covariates: Various factors will be considered as potential confounders or mediators of the hypothesized associations. These include cigarette smoking, substance use, alcohol consumption, infection, and depression and anxiety during pregnancy; postpartum depression and anxiety; maternal and paternal history of mental health conditions; socioeconomic status; race/ethnicity; maternal age at delivery; parity; prior pregnancy loss; child's sex; multiple birth; preterm birth; Caesarean section (planned/emergency); birth weight greater than 4000g; birth weight greater than 4500g; and intellectual disability in the child.