PRESS-NEWS.org - Press Release Distribution
PRESS RELEASES DISTRIBUTION

New research shows pre-existing diabetes in pregnancy greatly increases the risk of death of the fetus or infant child

2013-11-28
(Press-News.org) Contact information: Dr. Ruth Bell
sam.wood1@newcastle.ac.uk
44-788-647-3422
Diabetologia
New research shows pre-existing diabetes in pregnancy greatly increases the risk of death of the fetus or infant child New research shows that pre-existing diabetes in pregnant women greatly increases the risk of death of their unborn fetus by around four-and-a-half times compared with pregnant women without diabetes, and also almost doubles the risk of death of infants after birth. The research, published in Diabetologia (the journal of the European Association for the Study of Diabetes), is by Dr Ruth Bell and Peter Tennant, Newcastle University, UK, and colleagues from Newcastle University, and the South Tees NHS Trust, UK and Public Health England.

While previous research has investigated links between pre-existing diabetes in mothers and deaths of unborn fetuses and young children, it has not previously excluded congenital anomalies1 from causes of death. In this new research, the authors used unique sources of data from several long-standing population-based registers in the north of England to investigate the association between pre-existing diabetes and the risks of fetal and infant death in offspring without congenital anomalies.

All normally formed singleton offspring of women with pre-existing diabetes (1,206 with type 1 diabetes and 342 with type 2 diabetes) in the North of England during 1996� were identified from the Northern Diabetes in Pregnancy Survey. The relative risk of fetal death (i.e. death of a fetus at or after 20 weeks' gestation 2) and infant death (i.e. death during the first year of life) were estimated by comparison with population data from the Northern Perinatal Morbidity and Mortality Survey. Predictors of fetal and infant death in women with pre-existing diabetes were examined.

The researchers found that women with pre-existing diabetes were 4.56 times more likely to have their unborn fetus die compared with women without diabetes, while their infants were 1.86 times more likely to die. There was no difference in the risk of fetal and/or infant death in women with type 1 diabetes compared with type 2. Women with glycated haemoglobin (a standard measure of blood sugar control) above 6.6%, those with pre-pregnancy retinopathy (a complication of diabetes) and a lack of folic acid supplementation were all found to be at higher risk of experiencing a fetal or infant death.

The prevalence of fetal death was 3% in women with pre-existing diabetes, and the prevalence of infant death was 0.7%, compared with 0.7% and 0.4% in women without the condition. The researchers found no evidence that the increased risk of fetal and infant death associated with pre-existing diabetes had decreased over time, nor that the relative risk of stillbirth varied by gestational age.

The average glycated haemoglobin level in the pregnant women studied was 7.8%. England's National institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), has set a target of 6.1% for women, while the American Diabetes Association target is 7%. 'If the women in the study had all achieved either the ADA target or NICE target, the authors estimate the prevalence of fetal death and infant death would have been around 40% lower.

The authors commented: "It's disappointing to see so little improvement because, with the right care, most women with diabetes can - and will - have a healthy baby. Stillbirths and infant deaths are thankfully not common, but they could be even less common if all women with diabetes can be helped to achieve the best possible control of their blood glucose levels.

"We already know that folic acid reduces the risk of certain congenital anomalies, such as spina bifida or cleft lip, which is why women with diabetes are advised to take high dose supplements of 5 milligrams daily. These are available on prescription and should be taken for at least 3 months before conceiving. Our results suggest this simple action may also help to reduce the risk of stillbirth or infant death even in babies without these conditions."

They add: "If you are planning a pregnancy, and your blood glucose levels are high, then any reduction -even a small one - is likely to be good for your baby. Secondly, seek advice as early as possible from your diabetes team. They can help you keep your glucose at safe levels, as neither high blood glucose nor repeated episodes of severe hypoglycaemia are good for you or your baby."

INFORMATION:

Note to editors: 1The term 'congenital anomalies' is preferred, but other terms for these conditions include 'congenital abnormalities', 'congenital malformations', and 'birth defects'.This definition is equivalent to a stillbirth in the USA. 2This definition is equivalent to a stillbirth in the USA.

END



ELSE PRESS RELEASES FROM THIS DATE:

Geriatric care may help older patients become independent again after car accident or other trauma

2013-11-28
Geriatric care may help older patients become independent again after car accident or other trauma Senior patients with traumatic injuries ranging from rib fractures to head injuries are more dependent on others for daily living activities a year later ANN ...

EU fishing fleets reap profits while taxpayers foot the bill

2013-11-28
EU fishing fleets reap profits while taxpayers foot the bill The European Union's taxpayers are paving the way for fishing fleets to reel in valuable catch in developing countries while fishing companies pocket the profits, according to University ...

NIH-funded scientists identify potential target for malaria drugs

2013-11-28
NIH-funded scientists identify potential target for malaria drugs Protein is essential throughout malaria-causing parasite's life cycle Researchers have identified the protein in malaria-causing Plasmodium parasites ...

Fast, furious, refined: Smaller black holes can eat plenty

2013-11-28
Fast, furious, refined: Smaller black holes can eat plenty This news release is available in Spanish. Observations of a black hole powering an energetic X-ray source in a galaxy some 22 million light-years away could change our thinking about how some black ...

Ethical debate on face transplantation has evolved over time, reports Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery

2013-11-28
Ethical debate on face transplantation has evolved over time, reports Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery Once 'morally objectionable,' face transplantation now seen as 'feasible and necessary' procedure Philadelphia, Pa. (November 27, 2013) – Once viewed ...

Lasers deemed highly effective treatment for excessive scars

2013-11-28
Lasers deemed highly effective treatment for excessive scars Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery assembles evidence on laser therapy for scar prevention and treatment Philadelphia, Pa. (November 27, 2013) – Current laser therapy approaches are effective ...

Study finds vulnerability in malaria parasite

2013-11-28
Study finds vulnerability in malaria parasite Highlights possible new approach to treatment NEW YORK, NY (November 27, 2013) —An international team of scientists, including researchers at Columbia University Medical Center (CUMC), has identified ...

What's the sound of a hundred thousand soccer fans?

2013-11-28
What's the sound of a hundred thousand soccer fans? Brazilian researchers study acoustics of the caxirola, official World Cup instrument SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 27, 2013 – Mention vuvuzela to soccer fans, and they may cringe. The plastic horn rose to prominence ...

Glaciers sizzle as they disappear into warmer water

2013-11-28
Glaciers sizzle as they disappear into warmer water The sounds of bubbles escaping from melting ice make underwater glacial fjords one of the loudest natural marine environments on earth SAN FRANCISCO, Nov. 27, 2013 – Scientists have recorded and identified ...

Paleotempestology and 2011's Hurricane Irene

2013-11-28
Paleotempestology and 2011's Hurricane Irene December 2013 GSA Today Science Article by S. Hippensteel et al. Boulder, Colorado, USA – A new study published in the December issue of GSA Today examines the geological legacy of Hurricane Irene, not only in terms of ...

LAST 30 PRESS RELEASES:

As farm jobs decline, food industry work holds steady

Kennesaw State researcher aiming to move AI beyond the cloud

Revolutionizing impedance flow cytometry with adjustable microchannel height

Treating opioid addiction in jails improves treatment engagement, reduces overdose deaths and reincarceration

Can’t sleep? Insomnia associated with accelerated brain aging

Study links teacher turnover to higher rates of student suspensions, disciplinary referrals

How harmful bacteria hijack crops

Crowded conditions muddle frogs’ mating choices

A new way to guide light, undeterred

Researchers uncover how COVID-19 may linger in cancer patients and affect treatment outcomes

Tiny metal figurines from Sardinia's Nuragic civilization in around 1,000 BC reveal extensive ancient Mediterranean metal trading networks

Natural microfibers may degrade differently to synthetic materials under simulated sunlight exposure in freshwater and seawater conditions, with implications for how such pollutants affect aquatic lif

Indian new mums report better postpartum wellbeing when their own mum acts as their primary support - while women whose mother-in-law is the primary caregiver instead report significantly lower overal

Young adult intelligence and education are correlated with socioeconomic status in midlife

Traditional and “existential” wellness vary significantly between US regions

Smartwatches detect early signs of PTSD among those watching coverage of the Oct 7 attacks in Israel

The pandemic may have influenced the trainability of dogs, as reported by their owners

The withdrawal of U.S. funding for tuberculosis could lead to up to 2.2 million additional deaths between 2025 and 2030 inclusive

A ‘universal’ therapy against the seasonal flu? Antibody cocktail targets virus weak spot

Could robots help kids conquer reading anxiety? New study from the Department of Computer Science at UChicago suggests so

UCSB-designed soft robot intubation device could save lives

Burial Site challenges stereotypes of Stone Age women and children

Protein found in the eye and blood significantly associated with cognition scores

USF study reveals how menopause impacts women’s voices – and why it matters

AI salespeople aren’t better than humans… yet

Millions of men could benefit from faster scan to diagnose prostate cancer

Simulations solve centuries-old cosmic mystery – and discover new class of ancient star systems

MIT study explains how a rare gene variant contributes to Alzheimer’s disease

Race, ethnicity, insurance payer, and pediatric cardiac arrest survival

High-intensity exercise and hippocampal integrity in adults with cannabis use disorder

[Press-News.org] New research shows pre-existing diabetes in pregnancy greatly increases the risk of death of the fetus or infant child