Did my sister lose her newborn due to high blood acid level?

Question

Hi doctor,

My sister is 21 years old with type 1 diabetes. When she was 35 weeks pregnant, she had a cesarean section delivery. The baby's heartbeat stopped, and they could not get it started. The doctors are blaming it on diabetes. They said that the baby's blood acid was 2,5 which is five times higher than normal. Her blood sugar was 25 mg/dL at the time of delivery, because they gave her a glass of orange juice. This does not sound right. Please explain her condition to me.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hi,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

We are here to help you. I am sorry for your loss. Diabetes is a big problem, and so a pregnancy with diabetes is labeled as a high-risk pregnancy. It is very uncertain to know what side effects might occur. However, the side effects can vary from person to person.

It is very difficult to comment on what actually might have happened to the baby. If the sugar level gets low during a cesarean section, then yes, the baby is at risk. High blood sugar does not instantly stop the heart or affect the baby. It affects the mother by making her more prone to infection and diabetic ketoacidosis (the body produces excess ketones). Uncontrolled blood sugar during pregnancy will affect the baby.

I hope this helps.

Thank you.