OBJECTIVE We evaluated the quality of periconceptionmedical care in pregnant women with diabetes and assessed the influence of sociodemographic characteristics. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS The study was based on retrospective data collection fromelectronic database on cohort of Israeli women at Clalit Health Services (CHS) with pre-existing diabetes who gave birth in 2008-2011. It included data on A1C and other laboratory test results, prescription fillings, diet and ophthalmology consultations, and sociodemographics extracted from CHS computerized systems. The performance of each of nine recommended measures in the periconception period and a composite quality score was evaluated; the score ranged from 0-8. Multivariate logistic regression was used to examine independent sociodemographic predictors of lowquality overall scores. RESULTS A total of 166 women gave birth to 180 infants; the performance of the different quality parameters ranged from81% for A1C and kidney function tests to only 30% for dietary consultation and 41.1% for ophthalmology exam. Forty-nine percent of women had A1C <7.0% (53 mmol/mol). Only 45% took folic acid, whereas 13.9% continued the use of potentially teratogenic drugs in the first trimester. One-third of women were in the low-quality (0-3) overall score. In the multiple logistic regression analysis, the only significant variables to predict lower composite quality scores were multiparity odds ratio of 3.43 (95% CI 1.66-7.10; P = 0.001), Arabian ethnicity 3.76 (1.78-7.92; P = 0.001), and immigrant 3.73 (1.25-11.16; P = 0.018). CONCLUSIONS The periconceptionmedical care of diabetic women is suboptimal. More intensive and targeted care is needed in order to optimize periconception care of diabetic patients, especially in the high-risk subpopulations. © 2014 by the American Diabetes Association.

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Quality Improvement maternal care total quality management immigrant Israel Maternal Age metabolism risk Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 human Odds Ratio health service diet Ophthalmology Arab hemoglobin A1c Health Services Needs and Demand maternal diabetes mellitus teratogenic agent Kidney Function Tests proteinuria kidney function test Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 Humans periconception medical care Pregnancy in Diabetics Preconception Care consultation glycosylated hemoglobin glycemic control Hemoglobin A, Glycosylated female Socioeconomic Factors Infant Jew socioeconomics pregnancy standards scoring system Article Retrospective Studies major clinical study adult health care quality age Age Factors vitamin supplementation folic acid Quality of Health Care cohort analysis multipara parity Urinalysis retrospective study medical care first trimester pregnancy