In the same issue of the BMJ a group from Merseyside reported their experience of a 5-years prospective study that showed the outcome of diabetic pregnancy in Merseyside also had a 5-fold increase of perinatal mortality. Another region, Northern Ireland, confirmed this trend. So in three separate regions in the United Kingdom outcome of diabetic pregnancy is poor.

These were the only regions where diabetes pregnancy outcomes had been measured. It is not clear that this represents the general picture or if these three areas are the exception.