Class C diabetes is diabetes that began between the ages of 10 – 19 and has lasted a duration of 10-19 years. Women whose diabetes had set in before the age of 20 years of age have a higher incidence of infants with malformations that were fatal than women who developed diabetes at an older age, according to a study found on oxfordjournals.org.
The placentae from mothers with Class C diabetes were compared in one study with a normal group of placentae. The placentae from the Class C diabetes patients were divided into two groups based on growth characteristics and the neonatal out comes of the infants. The placentae of both of these groups were heavier than the placentae of the normal mothers. They were also found to have a relative increase in surface are. The results of the study suggested that the placental function in diabetics were probably not any more adversely affected than those of less severe form so diabetes. The study supports the theory that placental changes and the morbidity associated with Class C diabetes are the results of hormonal and metabolic abnormalities (PlacentaJournal.org, 2012).
Though Class C diabetics have high risk pregnancies, with careful management of the disease many of the complications of pregnancy can be avoided. Many mothers with Class C diabetes have healthy children. The key to doing so is to maintain the best blood sugar levels possible throughout the pregnancy, especially in the beginning when the fetus is first being formed.
Class C Diabetes Mellitus Complications
Aside from glucose levels, the complications of diabetes Class C mothers normally depend upon the degree insulin is needed. Women may require frequent insulin injections. They also may have low glucose levels. This can be life threatening to both the mother and the baby. So, keeping a steady blood sugar balance can be difficult, but not impossible. Now-a-days babies are usually born normal to mothers who have good blood glucose control; however, it’s important to know the risks and plan ahead with your doctor prior to becoming pregnant.
Major birth defects occur in about 5 – 10 percent of infants which are born of insulin dependent women. Major birth defects which occur in Class C diabetes pregnancies include those of the heart and connecting blood vessel, brain and spin abnormalities, urinary and kidney dysfunctions, and digestive tract problems. In addition, because of the poor circulation of many diabetic mothers, and problems such as high blood pressure, stillbirth is more common among women with diabetes. Poor blood glucose control and blood vessels changes are large contributing factors to this.
