For Mother's Day, The Gift Of Health

Main Category: Diabetes
Also Included In: Women's Health / Gynecology
Article Date: 29 Apr 2008 - 4:00 PDT

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With the prevalence of diabetes rapidly increasing, an alarming number of pregnancies are also becoming affected, leading to increased health risks for both the mothers and their unborn children. The seriousness of this problem is brought home by a new study being published in the May issue of the American Diabetes Association's (ADA) Diabetes Care, which shows a doubling of the number of pregnant women with diabetes over a seven-year period.

"With Mother's Day approaching, it's a good time for women of childbearing age to think about the importance of maintaining their health, especially if they wish to become pregnant," said Sue Kirkman, MD, of the American Diabetes Association. "Type 2 diabetes can be prevented. And the consequences of not knowing your risk are not only harmful to the women, they're potentially quite serious for their unborn children."

The study, by researchers at Kaiser Permanente in Southern California, found the prevalence of pre-existing type 1 or type 2 diabetes among pregnant women doubled, from less than one (0.81) out of 100 pregnancies in 1999 to close to two (1.82) out of 100 pregnancies in 2005. This increase was largely in type 2 diabetes. During the same period, the prevalence of gestational diabetes (diabetes that develops during the last trimester of pregnancy and then disappears after the baby is born) remained relatively stable.

Having diabetes before you get pregnant - especially if it is poorly controlled or undiagnosed - raises the risk of having a miscarriage or a child with birth defects. Having diabetes before pregnancy or developing gestational diabetes increases the risk of having a very large baby, which can lead to birth complications. And gestational diabetes places both mother and child at a greater risk of developing type 2 diabetes later in life.

Women who are overweight or obese, whose families have a history of diabetes, or who had gestational diabetes in a prior pregnancy should take the ADA's no-cost, online diabetes risk test to see if there is a strong chance that they have developed this chronic disease. The test can be found at http://www.diabetes.org/risktest. A paper version of the test can be obtained by calling ADA at 800-DIABETES. If the test indicates a high risk, or if a woman is thinking of becoming pregnant and wants to be certain, she should follow up with her doctor for a full diabetes screening.

The increased prevalence of pre-existing diabetes among pregnant women exists across all age groups and racial and ethnic backgrounds, the Kaiser Permanente researchers found. Because women are developing diabetes at younger ages, the number of women affected during their early, reproductive years has risen dramatically.

Additionally, the earlier onset and longer duration of type 2 diabetes also suggests the women may develop diabetes-related complications at an earlier age, the researchers concluded.

Dr. Jean Lawrence, the lead author on this study, suggests that "interventions that focus on reducing overweight and obesity can help decrease the number of women who have diabetes during their reproductive years. Given the increasing prevalence of diabetes in childbearing-age women, the awareness that preconception care reduces maternal and infant complications for women with diabetes as well as the availability of these services becomes increasingly important."

Numerous studies have shown that type 2 diabetes can be prevented through lifestyle changes such as moderate weight loss and increased daily physical activity. For more information on how to prevent diabetes and its many complications, visit http://www.diabetes.org or call 800-DIABETES. Information is available in English and Spanish.

The American Diabetes Association is the nation's premier voluntary health organization supporting diabetes research, information and advocacy. Founded in 1940, the Association's mission is to prevent and cure diabetes and to improve the lives of all people affected by diabetes.

American Diabetes Association