A leading diabetes specialist wants all pregnant women in New Zealand tested for diabetes.
Doctors have long debated whether babies would benefit if all pregnant women were tested for gestational diabetes.
Professor David Simmons of the Waikato Clinical School at Waikato Hospital says new research from Australia shows the risk to babies through diabetes in pregnancy is clear.
He says the landmark study proves screening and treatment can help avoid serious problems at birth.
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Professor Simmons says gestational diabetes, which affects four to eight percent of pregnant women in New Zealand, is increasing at an alarming rate.
