[Diabetes and pregnancy].

During the last few years perinatal mortality and neonatal morbidity in children of insulin-dependent diabetic mothers have considerably decreased, mainly because of strict 24-hour control of glycaemia throughout pregnancy and centralized care. Congenital malformations are now emerging as the leading cause of the remaining perinatal mortality and late disabilities; control of the diabetes prior to conception may lessen their frequency. Concerning gestational diabetes, there is lack of agreement on diagnostic criteria: who must be screened? What are the adverse effects on the child? The risk of foetal death is greater when arterial hypertension, prolonged pregnancy or previous stillbirth are associated with carbohydrate intolerance.