The incidence rate of fetal malformations in diabetic mothers and its relation to the type of diabetes

Abstract

In a longitudinal study 56 consecutive cases of diabetic pregnancy were evaluated to estimate the rate of fetal and neonatal complications in diabetic mothers in relation to the type of diabetes and the quality of the prenatal care. There were 35.7% gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) and 64.3% overt diabetes. Mean gestational age was 19.1 weeks at first visit. The most common complications were: Preterm delivery 32.1%, macrosomia 23.2%, hyperbilirubinemia 23.2%, hypoglycemia 14.3%, intrauterine growth retardation 12.5%. From this study can be concluded that the time of the first visit and the consequent therapy begin has direct impact on the rate of fetal complications