[The dilemma of diabetes in pregnancy: worldwide differences in diagnosis and management].

Objective: Type 1 and type 2 diabetes in pregnancy as well as gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) pose major risks to mother and fetus. We assessed to which extent two obstetric centers on two different continents coincide in their management of diabetes in pregnancy.

Methods: Within the scope of research activities between the Obstetric Department of the Medical University of Graz, Austria, and the Centre of Obstetric Medicine at the Mater Misericordiae Mothers' Hospital in Brisbane, Australia, current practices among the two obstetric centers in Austria and Australia were assessed.

Results: The management of type 1 and type 2 diabetes in pregnancy was almost identical, whereas major differences were found in the management of GDM.

Conclusion: Standardization of screening methods in diabetes in pregnancy remains challenging. National and international consensus has yet to be achieved in order to put a hold to the 'diabetic epidemic' we are going to face in the future.