Management of the pregnant diabetic.

Abstract

In 1950 we published the results of 131 pregnancies in 106 diabetic women. These were obtained from the hospital records and represented the work of various members of the staff.1The data revealed that toxemia was present in 48% and ketosis in 16.8% and that over 50% of the babies were over size as judged by the average clinic weight of 3,450 gm. Our total fetal loss was 30%. This included 10 spontaneous and 4 therapeutic abortions, 4 immature infant deaths, and 1 ectopic pregnancy. Our fetal mortality was 24.8% consisting of 6 premature and 22 mature infants. It was our conclusion that the toxemia, ketosis, and excessively large fragile infant were the principal causes for our fetal loss, and no doubt our lack of knowledge concerning other intangibles was a contributing factor. Since the pregnant diabetic presents a number of problems, we reasoned that the management of these