Forty-eight pregnant Black patients with overt diabetes were treated with a protocol of strict control of plasma glucose levels. Fasting (normal 3,5 - 5,5 mmol/l) and 2-hour postprandial (normal 4,5 - 6,7 mmol/l) values were used to define normoglycaemia. Subcutaneous insulin therapy was used if the above levels were persistently exceeded. Bacteriuria and preterm labour were common. Congenital fetal malformations and macrosomia did not occur. The perinatal mortality rate for this group of diabetics of 40/1 000 was lower than that for the general hospital population.