Decrease in incidence of gestational diabetes mellitus in Far North Queensland between 1992 and 1996.

The pregnant population in Far North Queensland is at high risk of medical complications, such as diabetes, compared to the general Australian population (1,2). This retrospective observational study shows a true decline in the incidence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) in this region over a 5-year period (1992-1996), contradicting the current belief that the incidence of GDM is increasing in non-Caucasian Australians. Although this change may be due to an improvement in medical and/or dietary intervention in this region, the real cause for the decline is yet to be recognized.