Fetal surveillance in pregnancy complicated by diabetes mellitus: is it necessary?

M B Landon1, S Vickers

  • 1Division of Maternal-Fetal Medicine, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Ohio University College of Medicine and Public Health, Columbus, Ohio 43210-1228, USA.

This article provides a literature review and opinion concerning the need for fetal surveillance in diabetic pregnancy. Low rates of intervention for suspected fetal jeopardy accompany well-controlled diabetic pregnancies in the absence of vascular disease or hypertension. The clinical utility of routine tests of fetal surveillance in uncomplicated type 1 and type 2 diabetic and gestational diabetic pregnancy has not been established. A randomized trial designed to establish whether a benefit exists to fetal testing in this population is not feasible, largely owing to sample size considerations.

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