Maternal Diabetes Mellitus and Fetal Development

  • Maternal diabetes mellitus (DM) significantly impacts fetal development due to maternal hyperglycemia, which adversely affects organ formation and function.
  • Diabetes during pregnancy occurs in two forms:
    • Pregestational Diabetes Mellitus (Type 1 or 2): Present before conception; risk of hyperglycemia during early fetal development.
    • Gestational Diabetes Mellitus: Develops usually in the third trimester, post-major organogenesis.

Impact of Pregestational Diabetes Mellitus

  • Pregestational diabetes affects around 10% of pregnancies and is linked to significant risk for birth defects associated with early embryonic development.
  • Higher maternal hemoglobin A1c levels correlate positively with increased birth defects.
  • The developing nervous system is particularly vulnerable, with risks including:
    • Anencephaly
    • Holoprosencephaly
    • Syntelecephaly
    • Neural tube defects
    • Caudal regression syndrome
  • Neurological malformation risk increases approximately 15-fold.
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Information
Published:02 May 2025
Modified: 02 May 2025