Microangiopathy and pregnancy

Diabetic microangiopathy is a frequent complication of longstanding diabetes mellitus. Micro vascular lesions may have severe implications for both maternal and foetal health. Patients with advanced underlying lesions are at increased risk of progression during pregnancy. Severe retinal lesions can progress during pregnancy and one year after delivery. Poor glycaemic control prior to conception and rapid improvement during pregnancy are other risk factors of progression. Treatment of lesions with high risk of progression and progressive blood glucose lowering in the preconception period can improve the prognosis. Diabetic nephropathy predisposes to preeclampsia, premature delivery, intrauterine growth retardation and perinatal mortality. Patients with elevated creatinine levels are at increased risk of permanent impairment of kidney function. These patients should be closely monitored and their blood pressure tightly controlled. Gastroparesis may be aggravated by pregnancy hyper emesis. Autonomic neuropathy may result in erratic maternal glucose control, foetus growth retardation and foetal loss.