Pregnant women who experience high blood glucose may give birth to children with a a higher risk of developing symptoms associated with diabetes, according to a presentation at the 92nd annual meeting of The Endocrine Society.

Researchers from the University of Alabama at Birmingham monitored the insulin sensitivity, which is a condition that can lead to diabetes, in 21 children aged 5 to 10 years. Also, the team examined medical information about the participants’ mothers to determine blood glucose levels during pregnancy.

The results of the study found that the women who had increased blood sugar levels while they were pregnant gave birth to babies with a lower insulin sensitivity. Furthermore, children who were in the womb and exposed to high levels of blood glucose were more likely to develop exaggerated insulin secretion, another health condition linked to diabetes.

“High maternal blood glucose during pregnancy may have lasting effects on children’s insulin sensitivity and secretion, potentially raising the risk for type 2 diabetes,” said Paula Chandler-Laney, co-author of the study. She added that “obstetricians, pediatricians, and pregnant women should all be aware of the potential far-reaching consequences that elevated blood sugar during pregnancy can have on children’s health.”

Every year, more than 13,000 children are diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.