Diabetes mellitus and pregnancy

For women with diabetes mellitus, pregnancycan present some particular challenges for both mother and child. If the woman who is pregnant has diabetes or develops diabetes during pregnancy, it can cause early labor, birth defects, and very large babies.

Physiology

During a normal pregnancy, a lot of physiological changes occur that influence bloodglucoselevels, such as a glucose-'drain' to the fetus, slowed emptying of the stomach, increased excretion of glucose by the kidneysand resistance of cellsto insulin.

Risks for the child

Miscarriage, birth defects, growth restriction, growth acceleration, fetal obesity (macrosomia), polyhydramnios.

Risks for the mother

Disturbed blood glucose levels. Hypoglycaemia can occur without warning.

Treatment of pregnant women with diabetes

Blood glucose levels in the pregnant woman should be regulated as strictly as possible. In diabetes mellitus type 2, oral antidiabetic drugsshould be replaced with insulin.

See also

• Diabetes mellitus
• Gestational diabetes
• Pregnancy

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It uses material from the Wikipedia article Diabetes mellitus and pregnancy.