Outcome of pregnancies in diabetic mothers in Norway 1967-1976.

A total of 1035 births to diabetic mothers were registered in Norway during the 10-year period 1967–1976. Perinatal mortality (from 16 weeks of gestation until 7 days after birth) decreased from 177.4 per 1000 births in 1967–68 to 60.7 in 1975–1976; for the total population the figures were 24.1 and 18.4. During the same period the duration of gestation increased from 35.5 weeks in 1967–1968 to 37.0 weeks in 1975–1976. The numbers of small and large infants decreased: in 1967–1968 53.3% weighed 2500–4000 grams, in 1975–1976 70.7%. Moreover, more births took place in university clinics and regional hospitals, 38.7% in 1967–1968 and 77.1% in 1975–1976. Malformations were 50% more common in children of diabetics. Cardiovascular and nervous system malformations accounted for this increase, being 5 times more frequent than in the general population.