Researchers report gestational diabetes leaving women at risk

New research has suggested that due to a lack of proper screening for gestational diabetes, women are being left at risk of stillbirth.

A study which took place at 41 maternity units across the UK found that not all women who were at high risk of developing the condition were not tested as they should have been. It also found that 26 per cent of those high risk women did not receive screening at all.

If left untreated, gestational diabetes can increase the risk of complications, including a baby that grows to a larger size than usual, which can lead to problems in labour, pre-eclampsia, premature birth and stillbirth.

The condition, which is a high blood sugar content, developing during pregnancy, takes place when the body cannot produce enough insulin to meet the pregnancy’s increased needs.

It is recommended that all high risk women should have blood screening for the condition, but only 74 per cent of those who took part in the study and were at risk were screened.

Study leader Dr Tomasina Stacey, said “There’s good news and bad news. The good news is that women with gestational diabetes have no increase in stillbirth risk if national guidelines are followed for screening, diagnosis and management.

“The bad news is that the guidelines are not always followed and some women therefore experience avoidably higher risk.”

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Posted by Karen Motley, Clinical Negligence Department, Chadwick Lawrence LLP (tonymay@chadlaw.co.uk ), medical negligence lawyers and clinical negligence solicitors in Huddersfield, Leeds, Wakefield and Halifax, West Yorkshire.

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