How Babies Are Affected by Mom's Diabetes

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Perinatal mortality and congenital anomalies in babies of women with type 1 or type 2 diabetes in England, Wales and Northern Ireland: population-based study, by M.C.M. Macintosh and colleagues. BMJ 333:177, 2006

What is the problem and what is known about it so far?

Babies born to women with type 1 diabetes are more likely to have problems such as birth defects and other conditions, including death. However, little is known about babies born to mothers with type 2 diabetes having similar problems. Researchers and doctors want to know more about this, because of the increase in people being diagnosed with type 1 and type 2 diabetes.

Why did the researchers do this particular study?

The researchers wanted to compare the health of babies born to mothers with type 1 diabetes to the health of babies born to mothers with type 2 diabetes.

Who was studied?

The study included 2,359 pregnant women who gave birth at one of 231 participating maternity units in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland during a one-year period.

How was the study done?

Researchers reviewed medical records and questionnaires completed by health professionals at the maternity units. They analyzed information about birth defects and deaths within the first month of the babies' lives.

What did the researchers find?

The rate of death in babies born to mothers with type 1 and type 2 diabetes were similar, both about four times greater than the general maternity population. Birth defects were also more common in women with either type of diabetes, which was almost twice the number researchers expected. Babies born to mothers with type 1 or type 2 diabetes also are about four times more likely to have neural tube defects, such as spina bifida.

What are the limitations of the study?

Information about diabetes and other health conditions was based on a questionnaire, so some cases may have been missed. Other factors, such as poverty or poor diet, could contribute to birth defects or other problems in newborns

What are the implications of the study?

Birth defects, newborn deaths, and other problems are more likely among babies born to mothers with either type 1 or type 2 diabetes, as compared to mothers who don’t have diabetes. Controlling or preventing diabetes is particularly important among women of childbearing years.

More research is needed to help women with diabetes improve the outcomes of pregnancy.

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