Other news for: Abnormalities Diabetes Mellitus Diabetes Mellitus, Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus, Non-Insulin-Dependent Pregnancy Pregnancy Complications Resources from HONselect Pre-Pregnancy Diabetes Boosts Risk for Birth Defects Women 3 to 4 times more likely to deliver baby with at least one problem, U.S. study finds By Robert Preidt WEDNESDAY, July 30 (HealthDay News)-- Women who develop diabetes before they become pregnant are three to four times more likely than non-diabetic women to have a baby with at least one birth defect, says a U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention study. This is the first study to identify the wide range of birth defects -- such as heart defects, brain and spine defects, oral clefts, limb deficiencies, and defects of the kidneys and gastrointestinal tract -- associated with pre-pregnancy diagnoses of type 1 or type 2 diabetes. The study was published in the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology . "The continued association of diabetes with a number of birth defects highlights the importance of increasing the number of women who receive the best possible preconception care, especially for those diagnosed with diabetes," lead author Dr. Adolfo Correa, an epidemiologist at the CDC's National Center on Birth Defects and Developmental Disabilities, said in a CDC news release. "Early and effective management of diabetes for pregnant women is critical in helping to not only prevent birth defects, but also to reduce the risk for other health complications for them and their children," Correa addedd. In addition, preconception care should be considered and promoted for women with pre-pregnancy obesity, which is a known risk factor for both diabetes and birth defects, Correa and colleagues recommended. For this study, the researchers analyzed data on more than 30,000 people seen at nine birth defects centers across the country. Birth defects affect one in 33 infants and are a leading cause of infant death, according to background information in the CDC news release. While risk factors for some birth defects have been identified, the cause of most birth defects is unknown. More information The Nemours Foundation has more about birth defects . SOURCE: U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, news release, July 30, 2008 Copyright © 2008 ScoutNews, LLC . All rights reserved.URL:http://www.healthscout.com/template.asp?id=617923 Resources from HONselect: HONselect is the HON's medical search engine. It retrieves scientific articles, images, conferences and web sites on the selected subject. The list of medical terms above are retrieved automatically from the article. Disclaimer: The text presented on this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice. It is for your information only and may not represent your true individual medical situation. Do not hesitate to consult your healthcare provider if you have any questions or concerns. Do not use this information to diagnose or treat a health problem or disease without consulting a qualified healthcare professional. Be advised that HealthDay articles are derived from various sources and may not reflect your own country regulations. The Health On the Net Foundation does not endorse opinions, products, or services that may appear in HealthDay articles.

Home

About us

Contact

MediaCorner

HONewsletter

Ethical policy

Site map

HON Foundation is an NGO in Special Consultative Status with the Economic and Social Council of the United Nations

/News/HSN/617923.html

Last modified:  Aug 26 2008

© HON 2008