Pregnant diabetics likely to have birth defect

A recent study conducted by a Britain-based major research-intensive university revealed that pregnant women with diabetes are more prone to birth defects than the normal ones.

"The study led by Newcastle University and funded by Diabetes UK, for the first time has evidence that quantifies the effect of glucose levels. The blood glucose level around the time of conception is the key factor predicting the risk of congenial anomaly," a statement from Newcastle University that has published the study said.

The study was carried out in England and found that one in every 13 deliveries of women suffering from Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes involved a major risk of congenital anomaly also referred as birth defect.

"The researchers have found that during pregnancy, a woman with Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes has a risk of a birth defect which is about seven percent, as compared to an average of around two percent in women without diabetes," the study said.

The study investigated of 401,149 pregnancies in which 1,677 pregnant women were diabetic between 1996 and 2008 in the north of England.

"The good news is that, with expert help before and during pregnancy, most women with diabetes will have a healthy baby. The risk of problems can be reduced by taking extra care to have optimum glucose control before becoming pregnant," said Ruth Bell, the study's lead researcher.

Birth defect is a physical disorder recognized during the birth of the infant and which can be considered as a major problem.

"Any reduction in high glucose levels is likely to improve the chances of a healthy baby. All young women with diabetes need to know about preparing for pregnancy, and should contact their doctor or diabetes team as soon as possible if they are thinking about pregnancy or become pregnant," Bell added.

-With inputs from IANS.