Clinical Edge

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Pregnancy in Young Patients With Diabetes

Effect of birth control counsel, outcomes studied

Despite receiving information on birth control and avoiding pregnancy, 10% of youths with type 2 diabetes in a randomized controlled trial became pregnant.

Investigators were studying 3 treatment options, and all participants were instructed to use contraception, including abstinence. Researchers retrospectively obtained self-reported data on prenatal care and infant health, and reviewed medical records when possible.

Among the results:

• Of the 452 participants, 46 had 63 pregnancies.

• Only 4.8% of the pregnant participants said they used contraception.

• The average age of first pregnancy was 18.4 years; the mean diabetes duration was 3.17 years.

• 10 pregnancies were either terminated or without data. Of the remaining, 12 ended early and 2 ended in stillbirth.

• Of 39 live-born infants, 6 were preterm and 8 had a major congenital anomaly.

Citation: Klingensmith G, Pyle L, Nadeau K, et al. Pregnancy outcomes in youth with type 2 diabetes: The TODAY study experience. [Published online ahead of print December 1, 2015]. Diabetes Care. doi:10.2337/dc15-1206.