Diabetes increases chances of birth defects
Pregnant women with diabetes are almost four times more likely to have a baby with a birth defect than women without the condition, warn researchers.
Around one in 13 babies born to a woman with type 1 or type 2 diabetes is affected by a major birth defect.
These birth defects may include congenital heart disease and defects of the nervous system such as spina bifida. Many can be treated but some result in stillbirth or pregnancy loss or ongoing health problems.
Doctors are urging women with diabetes who want to start a family to take advice about getting good glucose control first to minimize the risk. But they stressed that the vast majority of pregnancies in women with diabetes did not involve a birth defect.
Previous research shows having diabetes increases the chance of birth defects, but this is one of the first studies to quantify the effect of glucose levels on risk.
Higher blood sugar levels can be reduced using lifestyle and diet, or changes to medication during pregnancy.
The study offers clear evidence that although women with diabetes might still have a higher risk of a birth defect, they can still do something positive to reduce that risk by carefully monitoring their blood glucose level and trying to reduce it if it is high.
Blood glucose control continues to be important throughout pregnancy and should be closely monitored to ensure the best result for the baby and this is why women should be as prepared as possible beforehand.
Finland, May 08, 2012
Researchers in Finland have developed biodegradable joint implants they say will bring permanent pain relief to arthritis suffe... 
May 03, 2012
A molecular change that switches genes on or off can pre-empt the onset of breast cancer decades before the disease develops.
Scientis... 
April 25, 2012
Sustain Gains, Save Lives: Invest in malaria. This is the theme for this year’s World Malaria Day Emphasis has been placed on the ne... 