The babies of women who already have diabetes before they become pregnant are at an increased risk of stillbirth or death within the first 12 months of life, a new study has found.

Researchers at Newcastle University in the UK studied the outcomes of more than 400,000 pregnancies that occurred between 1996 and 2008.

They found that the risk of stillbirth or death during the first year of life was over four times higher in babies born to women with pre-existing diabetes compared to women without diabetes.

These risks were similar irrespective of whether the women had type 1 or type 2 diabetes.

However, the study also found that this risk was reduced among those with diabetes if their blood glucose levels were well controlled.

Furthermore, it also found that if women with diabetes had taken folic acid supplements before they became pregnant, the increased risk of stillbirth or death within a year was halved. However, just four in 10 women had taken folic acid prior to pregnancy.

All women hoping to become pregnant are already recommended to take folic acid, because it reduces a baby's risk of developing neural tube defects, such as spina bifida, by up to 70%.

Women are currently recommended to take the B-group vitamin at least eight weeks prior to and 12 weeks after conception, however the researchers advise longer for those with diabetes.

"We already know that folic acid reduces the risk of certain congenital anomalies, such as spina bifida or cleft lip, which is why women with diabetes are advised to take high dose supplements of five milligrams daily. These should be taken for at least three months before conceiving. Our results suggest this simple action may also help to reduce the risk of stillbirth or infant death even in babies without these conditions," explained Dr Ruth Bell of Newcastle University.

She empahsised that with the right care, most women with diabetes ‘can and will have a healthy baby'.

"Stillbirths and infant deaths are thankfully not common, but they could be even less common if all women with diabetes can be helped to achieve the best possible control of their blood glucose levels before becoming pregnant," Dr Bell added.

Details of these findings are published in the journal, Diabetologia.

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