Which statement about congenital anomalies risk with diabetes is correct?

Which statement about congenital anomalies risk with diabetes is correct?

• A. The risk is not increased
• B. The risk is slightly increased
• C. The incidence is three times higher
• D. The risk is only during the first trimester

Answer: (C)

The main idea is that maternal diabetes increases the risk of congenital anomalies in the fetus, especially when blood glucose is not well controlled around conception and in early pregnancy when organ development occurs. Hyperglycemia during this critical period can disrupt normal fetal development, leading to defects such as cardiac and neural tube abnormalities. Across studies, the overall risk of congenital anomalies in infants of mothers with pregestational diabetes is about three times higher than in infants of non-diabetic mothers, making that magnitude a consistent and meaningful estimate. This heightened risk is most pronounced during early organogenesis, but it is not accurate to say the risk is limited only to the first trimester or that there is no increased risk at all. Good glycemic control before conception and in early pregnancy reduces—but does not completely eliminate—this risk.

The main idea is that maternal diabetes increases the risk of congenital anomalies in the fetus, especially when blood glucose is not well controlled around conception and in early pregnancy when organ development occurs. Hyperglycemia during this critical period can disrupt normal fetal development, leading to defects such as cardiac and neural tube abnormalities. Across studies, the overall risk of congenital anomalies in infants of mothers with pregestational diabetes is about three times higher than in infants of non-diabetic mothers, making that magnitude a consistent and meaningful estimate. This heightened risk is most pronounced during early organogenesis, but it is not accurate to say the risk is limited only to the first trimester or that there is no increased risk at all. Good glycemic control before conception and in early pregnancy reduces—but does not completely eliminate—this risk.