Diabetes-Related Birth Defects Are Preventable

The Power of Supplements

Based on our laboratory work demonstrating that hyperglycemia depletes inherent and natural antioxidant defense mechanisms, we have also demonstrated that by supplementing diets with antioxidants and polyunsaturated fatty acids, we can reduce the incidence of birth defects in animals.

More recently, studies from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have confirmed our own laboratory's work showing that diabetic women taking multivitamins with folic acid are able to lower birth defect rates accordingly.

Although the specific amounts, the specific quantity, and the specific types of antioxidants and other substances are not known at this time—and although there is not a defined correlation regarding intake of multivitamins and specific outcome variables—we do know with certainty that the usage of multivitamins containing folic acid has been shown clinically to improve outcomes.

Given the public health problems of diabetes and obesity, obstetricians and primary care providers must encourage—and require to the extent possible—all diabetic patients to enter preconception care when they are contemplating pregnancies, and to undergo multivitamin therapy containing folic acid. It is, simply, a responsibility we hold. With such efforts, we can have a tremendous effect on pregnancy outcome and the reduction of birth defects.

Diabetic Embryopathy

▸ The overall incidence of diabetic embryopathy is 6%–10%, which is five times higher than in nondiabetics.

▸ Diabetic embryopathy accounts for about 40% of deaths of infants of diabetic mothers.

▸ CNS and cardiovascular malformations are the most common and most serious effects.

▸ Neural tube defects are present in infants of diabetic mothers at a rate of 10–20 per 1,000 live births vs. 1–2 per 1,000 live births in the general population.

Source: Dr. Reece