Adolescence

Pre-pregnancy counseling

• Pre-pregnancy counseling with emphasis on

• The importance of good glycemic control before pregnancy, particularly the risks to the developing embryo and fetus
• Understanding the importance of good control throughout pregnancy particularly avoidance of hypoglycemia and ketoacidosis
• Discussion of genetic implications of diabetes to the young person and partner

• Access to expert pregnancy management should include

• Cooperative management by an obstetrician and physician with special experience in diabetes and pregnancy
• Delivery of the baby in a hospital able to provide expert perinatal and neonatal care

Adolescent girls with diabetes should be aware of the extreme importance of a planned pregnancy. Poor glycemic control around the time of conception increases the prevalence of fetal malformation