A 29-year-old woman with Type 2 diabetes is planning conception. To minimise the risk of congenital anomalies, the recommended pre-conceptional glycated haemoglobin target is:
- A Below 8.0 percent
- B Below 7.0 percent
- C As close to 6.5 percent as safely possible ✓
- D No specific target exists, since anomaly risk is independent of peri-conceptional control
Correct answer: C. As close to 6.5 percent as safely possible
Explanation
Congenital anomaly risk rises linearly with peri-conceptional HbA1c, and targeting a level as close to 6.5 percent as achievable without severe hypoglycaemia reduces the malformation rate toward background levels. An HbA1c near 8 percent still confers a substantially elevated risk of neural tube and cardiac defects, and anomaly risk is clearly dependent on glycaemic control around the time of organogenesis, not independent of it.
Reference: Williams Obstetrics, 26th ed.
High-yield for: NEET PGINI-CETNExTFMGEUSMLEPLABMRCP
Written and medically reviewed by the StethoPrep medical team.