Diabetics at increased risk of Stillbirth, other complications
By Danell Swim
February 28, 2008
Babies of women with diabetes are seven times as likely to be stillborn as those of women without, according to new research.
A study of 130 pregnancies in women with Type 1 diabetes in Leicester between 1999 and 2006 found 3.9% resulted in stillbirth, compared with 0.55% across all births.
The results also showed that 58% of births among women with diabetes were by Caesarean section, and 5.4% of babies were born with congenital malformations - both more than double the norm.
The findings are consistent with the Confidential Enquiry into Maternal and Child Health published last year.
They will be presented next week at Diabetes UK’s annual conference in Glasgow.
Douglas Smallwood, chief executive of Diabetes UK, said: “Diabetes UK is alarmed by these findings.
“Many of the risks these women and their babies face are avoidable if they receive the appropriate pre-conception care and are supported to achieve good blood glucose control during their pregnancy.
“Sadly it appears we are making little progress in tackling the problem. It is unacceptable that women and their babies are exposed to these dangers unnecessarily.”
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