Obstetric and perinatal outcomes for women with pre-existing diabetes in rural compared to metropolitan settings in Victoria, Australia

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Pre-existing diabetes in pregnancy is associated with an increased risk of complications. Likewise, living in rural, regional and remote Victoria, Australia, is also associated with poorer health outcomes. There is a gap in the literature with regard to whether Victorian women with pre-existing diabetes experience a greater risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes compared to their metropolitan counterparts. AIM: Our objective is to compare obstetric and perinatal outcomes for women with pre-existing diabetes delivering in rural vs metropolitan hospitals in Victoria, Australia. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Retrospective population-based study using routinely collected state-based data of sin..