Obstetrical management in diabetic pregnancy: the Copenhagen experience

The outcome of 223 pregnancies in Type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetic women managed from 1981 to 1985 in the Centre for Pregnant Diabetics in Copenhagen is presented. There were 17 spontaneous and 9 induced abortions. The latter were all done on medical indications. Among the 201 infants weighing 1000 g or more (including 4 pairs of twins), three died perinatally, 2 with lethal congenital malformations and one was stillborn in the 32nd gestational week. This represents a perinatal mortality rate of 2 percent. Timing and mode of delivery is individualized, but the general scheme is to induce labour around the 38th week of pregnancy. It is emphasized that an increased risk of sudden intrauterine death still exists in late diabetic pregnancy.