The prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus: The accuracy of the NSW perinatal data collection based on a private hospital experience.

Past studies have shown that the prevalence of gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) has been underestimated, and this can have major implications for healthcare planning. With the changes in diagnostic criteria for GDM, we wanted to assess the accuracy of the diagnosis in a private hospital setting. Using data from the hospital's obstetric database, medical records and a private pathology provider, we established the true prevalence of GDM and compared it with the NSW Perinatal Data Collection. The recorded prevalence of 6.8% was well below the real value of 15.0%.