TurnTo23.com

 
Staying Healthy

Diabetes Detrimental To Developing Fetuses, Researchers Warn

POSTED: 3:14 pm PDT July 30, 2008
UPDATED: 3:40 pm PDT July 30, 2008

Pregnant women with type 1 or type 2 diabetes face a higher chance of miscarriage, premature birth and difficult delivery.

But according to new research, the blood sugar problems from diabetes put the baby at greater risk as well.

A new study from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has found that babies born to mothers with diabetes are more likely to have birth defects such as a cleft lip, heart defects or shortened limbs.

They studied thousands of mothers and babies in the United States and found three to four times more birth defects in infants born to women with diabetes.

Women who developed diabetes during pregnancy also had some increased risk for birth defects in their babies, but this was largely linked to the mother's obesity levels.

The research has also suggested that blood-sugar levels matter most in early pregnancy when the baby's organs are just developing.

Links We Like

Sponsored Content
Living well with type-1 or type-2 diabetes can be easier than you might think. Use our diabetes resource guide. More

Employers generally have options when it comes to hiring. Makes sure you present yourself as professionally as possible, or else. More

You can pick your friends, but not your family -- or your neighbors. Here's what you need to know about how to deal with yours. More

The signs of Cancer can sometimes be very subtle. Here's a guide to help you recognize them early. More

Sponsored Links

Share Your Pics & Vids

This content requires the latest Adobe Flash Player and a browser with JavaScript enabled. Click here for a free download of the latest Adobe Flash Player.