ATLANTIC DIP: Closing the loop - A change in clinical practice can improve outcomes for women with pregestational diabetes

OBJECTIVE-Prospective evaluation of pregnancy outcomes in women with pregestational diabetes over 6 years.RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS-The ATLANTIC Diabetes in Pregnancy group provides care for women with diabetes throughout pregnancy. In 2007, the group identified that women were poorly prepared for pregnancy and outcomes were suboptimal. A change in practice occurred, offering women specialist-led, hub-and-spoke evidence-based care. We now compare outcomes from 2005 to 2007 with those from 2008 to 2010.RESULTS-There was an increase in the numbers attending preconception care (28-52%, P = 0.01). Glycemic control before and throughout pregnancy improved. There was an overall increase in live births (74-92%, P 0.001) and decrease in perinatal mortality rate (6.2-0.65%, P 0.001). There was a decrease in large-for-gestational-age babies in mothers with type 1 diabetes mellitus (30-26%, P = 0.02). Elective caesarean section rates increased, while emergency section rates decreased.CONCLUSIONS-Changing the process of clinical care delivery can improve outcomes in women with pregestational diabetes