[Diabetes in pregnancy--an underestimated risk?]

During the period 9/86 to 12/89 among a total of 60 diabetic pregnant women we analyzed 32 patients with gestational diabetes concerning diagnosis at admission and time of giving the diagnosis as well as the beginning and management of insulin therapy. Pregnancy complications and fetal outcome were related to these data. The perinatal mortality rate ranged 3.1% and was exclusively caused by 2 intrauterine deaths. Until a screening program perhaps will be introduced in the context of the nationwide Prenatal Care Program it is required that obstetricians and internists have to search intensively for impaired carbohydrate metabolism in pregnant women.