Diabetes in pregnancy - abstract

ABSTRACT

Two hundred and seventy-six patients with diabetes mellitus in pregnancy, either supervised or personally managed by the author, are reviewed. The perinatal mortality rate (PMR) was 60/1000 for this group of high-risk patients. There were eight cases of congenital malformation and 22.5 percent of the deliveries were preterm. The Caesarian Section rate was 33.6 percent, which is twice that for the general obstetrical population. The diagnostic criteria and the principles of management of diabetes mellitus in pregnancy are reviewed. The challenges to better management and outcome include pre-pregnancy assessment and close collaboration between the internist, dietitian, obstetrical and neonatal teams throughout the pregnancy and post-partum period (AU)