Perinatal outcome in the diabetic pregnancy: a retrospective analysis

A retrospective analysis was done of all pregnancies in class B through R diabetics over a two-and-one-half-year period. This study demonstrates that early hospitalization, assessment of fetal status via estriols and oxytocin challenge test, fetal maturity studies, close medical supervision of the diabetes problem and advances in neonatology have combined to significantly reduce perinatal morbidity and mortality. The expense of prolonged maternal hospitalization is justified by the savings in newborn and child care, which would otherwise be increased. This approach can be used in any obstetric center. The philosophic question is discussed of the increased incidence of congenital malformations and diabetes in offspring of diabetic mothers.