[Children of diabetic parents--on the question of developmental disorders in pregnancy with special reference to the so-called risk child].

On the basis of 3 different patient collectives the question of the birthweight of infants with one diabetic parent is considered, and in particular whether paternal diabetes is a causative factor in the birth of macrosomatic children. Diabetes in more distant relatives is also discussed. It is confirmed that there is a relationship between diabetic metabolism of the mother and macrosomatia of the newborn; however, no influence of paternal diabetes on the birthweight of the children can be found. According to this study, miscarriages and stillbirths are more frequent in women with diabetes mellitus than in the general population. The need for intensive monitoring of the metabolism of (pre)diabetic women during pregnancy is pointed out.