Scientists warn tests for diabetes in pregnancy are ‘too late’

Most screening for gestational diabetes takes place 28 weeks into the pregnancy, but a study of 4,069 women conducted by the University of Cambridge, showed that the foetus was already affected by that stage.

There were no indications of large babies at 20 weeks.

Gestational diabetes, if left untreated, increases the risk of stillbirth and other complications. It is relatively common, with as much as 18 in every 100 pregnancies affected.  Most babies are born healthy, but the condition increases the likelihood of a large baby, leading to the risk of complications in labour, bone fractures and cerebral palsy.

The babies also have a higher risk of diabetes and obesity later in life.

The study showed that, by the time of the 28 week screening, excessive foetal growth had already started, and that women tested positive for the condition at that stage were 50% more likely than other mothers to have an excessively large foetus.

Professor Gordon Smith, one of the researchers for the study, said “The recommendations are that screening should take place at some point between 24 and 28 weeks, but in practice a lot screen at 28 weeks.

“Our findings indicate that it should be brought forward to 24 weeks and that would still be consistent with existing guidelines.

“And we should possibly be doing a second, earlier, screening test for early onset of the disease – but that needs further research.”

The Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists’ Dr Daghni Rajasingam, said “This study emphasises the importance of early detection and diagnosis.

“There is growing awareness for the need to screen earlier, but further research should assess the ideal timing of screening and the impact this has on the child’s health.

“It is important to emphasise that immediate changes to lifestyle, including a healthy diet and moderate levels of exercise, can have significantly positive effects on a woman and her baby’s health.”

Janet Scott from the Sands stillbirth charity, said “We know from recent enquiries that failure to screen for gestational diabetes currently plays a part in a significant number of potentially avoidable stillbirths at term.

“Good risk assessment is crucial to avoiding harm to mothers and babies and we welcome these important findings which have real potential to inform better antenatal care for these high-risk pregnancies.”

Chadwick Lawrence’s team of medical negligence lawyers have years of experience in high value and complex medical negligence compensation claims and have an excellent record. The team is led by Tony May, a specialist cerebral palsy and birth injury solicitor, who has over 20 years experience in handling cases in which babies have been brain damaged or sustained other injuries as a result of medical negligence.  He and his team continue to represent many cerebral palsy children and young adults in medical negligence claims.  Tony also acts as the Court of Protection Deputy for many of the cerebral palsy and brain damaged clients that he has represented, so we can continue to support you after your case is settled.  Tony can be contacted by email on tonymay@chadlaw.co.uk.  Alternatively, please call and speak to any of Chadwick Lawrence’s specialist medical negligence Legal Aid and no win-no fee solicitors for free legal advice on the freephone number below.

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Posted by Tony May, Partner/head of 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.