Pregnancy Complications Still High For Women With Diabetes

The risk of death and major birth defects are still high in babies born to women with diabetes, despite an international strategy to raise standards of diabetes care, say researchers in a study published on bmj.com. They also warn that these problems will get worse as the number of young women diagnosed with type 1 and type 2 diabetes continues to rise. Researchers analysed deaths shortly after birth (perinatal mortality) and congenital anomalies in babies born to women with type 1 or type 2 diabetes who delivered between 1 March 2002 and 28 February 2003 in England, Wales, and Northern Ireland .