Abstract
Compared with non-diabetic population, pregnancy in diabetic women poses a considerable risk to their progeny. The incidence of birth defects in babies of diabetic women appears two- to three times higher than in normal population.
Most common are the caudal regression syndrome and malformations of neural and cardiovascular systems. Approximately 18% pregnancies terminate by abortion or miscarriage, and perinatal mortality in diabetic women without adequate therapy is very high, too.
Mechanism of dysmorphogenesis has been thoroughly studied in many experimental models, however with equivocal results. A group of etiologic factors associated with metabolic disturbance accompanying hyperglycaemia is thought to be important for teratogenesis.
However, adverse effects to the embryo may be exerted also by high insulin levels. Critical period for development of the malformations occurs very early in pregnancy.
From this point of view it is necessary to apply the prevention measures as early as in the period before pregnancy.