Preconceptional diabetes control in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus patients with continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion therapy.

Preconceptional diabetes management is an important prerequisite for pregnancy planning and its value has been well-documented. Glucose control and the outcome of pregnancy, managed in the preconceptional period, with continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion therapy to those receiving insulin injections are compared. Fifty-two juvenile onset insulin dependent diabetic women contemplating pregnancy were regularly consulted by a diabetology team starting at least two months before conception. Glucose control was achieved by continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion pumps (CSIIP) in 18 patients, and 34 women received intensive insulin therapy (IIT). In both groups, normal glucose levels and normal HbA1 were achieved at conception, maintained during the period of organogenesis and throughout pregnancy. In view of the fact that perinatal results, such as the occurrence of malformations, mean gestational age, mean birth weight and neonatal complications were not significantly different in both groups, we believe that both methods are equally effective. Consequently, the less costly and yet effective IIT may be the method of choice, while the more expensive pump should be used mainly in selected cases.