Syed et al. BMC Public Health 2011, 11(Suppl 3):S2 http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2458/11/S3/S2 urinary tract disorder, macrosomia, birth injury, and peri- natal mortality. These risks can be minimized by optimal glycaemic control, both prior to and throughout the preg- nancy [98,99], and this is best achieved through compre- hensive preconception care where other issues such as genetic risks, health status, reproductive history, exposure to environment toxins, immunization and life-style risk factors can be addressed via a community based approach to manage diabetes before and during pregnancy [100]. Conclusions Diabetes, and especially pregestational diabetes with its attendant vascular complications, is clearly a significant risk factor for stillbirth. Our review highlights the fact that very few studies of adequate quality are available that can provide data on the impact of screening and management of diabetes in pregnancy and stillbirth risk. Applying the CHERG rules, we deduced a 62% reduction in stillbirths due to intensive vs. conventional management of gesta- tional diabetes. The Delphi process however, suggested a more conservative figure of 10% reduction in the risk of antepartum and intraprtum stillbirths and presently these point estimates are being recommended for use in LiST. Additional material Additional file 1: This paper has an additional file that contains all of the studies that were graded for quality for inclusion in the analyses. This file is a word document. Acknowledgements This work was supported in part by a grant to the US Fund for UNICEF from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation (grant 43386) to “Promote evidence- based decision making in designing maternal, neonatal and child health interventions in low- and middle-income countries. This article has been published as part of BMC Public Health Volume 11 Supplement 3, 2011: Technical inputs, enhancements and applications of the Lives Saved Tool (LiST). The full contents of the supplement are available online at http://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2458/11?issue=S3. Authors’ contributions Professor Zulfiqar A Bhutta developed the review parameters and secured support. Dr. Madiha Syed, Hasan Jawed and Dr. Mohammad Yawar Yakoob undertook the literature search, data extraction and analysis under the supervision of Professor Bhutta. Dr. Zulfiqar A. Bhutta gave advice in all the aspects of the project and was the overall supervisor. Competing interests The authors declare no conflicts of interest. Published: 13 April 2011 References 1. Gabbe SG, Mestman JG, Freeman RK, Anderson GV, Lowensohn RI: Management and outcome of class A diabetes mellitus. Am J Obstet Gynecol 1977, 127(5):465-9. 2. 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