Outcome of diabetic pregnancies in Waikato: five year experience.

The outcome of diabetic pregnancies in Waikato Hospital from 1979-1984 was reviewed. Overall perinatal mortality in the 61 deliveries was 69/1000 births but in the 38 deliveries whose antenatal care included close diabetic control, the perinatal mortality was 26/1000 births. The national perinatal mortality has improved from 12.2/1000 births in 1979 to 9.6/1000 in 1983 (provisional) with an overall rate of 11.0/1000 births. Improved outcome of diabetic pregnancies both in terms of reduced perinatal mortality and reduced neonatal and maternal complications depends on meticulous blood glucose control throughout pregnancy.