title: Diabetic-associated stillbirth: incidence, pathophysiology, and prevention.
abstract: All forms of diabetes during pregnancy are associated with an increased risk for stillbirth, defined as fetal death at greater than 20 weeks. The incidence of stillbirth in women who have diabetes has decreased dramatically with improved diabetes care. Diabetic-associated stillbirth is associated with hyperglycemia, resulting in fetal anaerobic metabolism with hypoxia and acidosis. Prevention of stillbirth in women who have diabetes hinges on intensive multidisciplinary prenatal care with control of blood sugars and appropriate fetal surveillance.
authors.affiliation: Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, 7703 Floyd Curl Drive, San Antonio, TX 78229, USA. dudleyd@uthscsa.edu
authors.forename: Donald J
authors.initials: DJ
authors.lastname: Dudley
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D036861:Delivery, Obstetric; D003920:Diabetes Mellitus / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D005260:Female; D005313:Fetal Death / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D005865:Gestational Age; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D016742:Preconception Care; D011247:Pregnancy; D011254:Pregnancy in Diabetics / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000503:physiopathology*; D011295:Prenatal Care; D050497:Stillbirth / Q000453:epidemiology*