Tommy's PregnancyHub

Long term effects of type 1 or 2 diabetes in pregnancy

The fact that you have type 1 or 2 diabetes in pregnancy does not mean that your baby will get it as a child. But they will have an increased risk of getting it later due to genetics.

Both type 1 and 2 diabetes have genetic links, and for type 2 diabetes lifestyle factors can increase the risk further

More than 85% of type 1 diabetes occurs in people without diabetes in their immediate family. But the risk for people who do have diabetes in their immediate family is about 15 times higher than normal.

On average:

  • if a mother has the condition, the risk of developing it is about 2–4%
  • if a father has the condition, the risk of developing it is about 6–9%
  • if both parents have the condition, the risk of developing it is up to 30%
  • if a brother or sister develops the condition, the risk of developing it is 10% (rising to 10–19% for a non-identical twin and 30–70 % for an identical twin)

Genetic and environmental factors determine the risk with type 2 diabetes. It tends to cluster in families. People who have diabetes in the family are two to six times more likely to have diabetes than people without diabetes in the family.

Top tips for reducing your family’s risk of type 2 diabetes

  1. Eat a healthy diet
  2. Keep your weight at a healthy level
  3. If you drink alcohol, do so in moderation
  4. Stay active and get regular exercise
  5. Stop smoking

Read more

Review dates

Last reviewed: 1 September, 2015
Next review: 1 September, 2017

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