Related Experiment Videos
Diabetic embryopathy: possible pathogenesis
L S Sadler1, L K Robinson, M E Msall
1Division of Genetics, State University of New York at Buffalo, USA.
Insights
Offspring of diabetic mothers face higher congenital malformation risks. Early diabetic embryopathy may stem from damage to embryonic somite mesoderm and neural crest cells.
Area of Science:
- Developmental biology
- Reproductive medicine
- Teratology
Background:
- Improved metabolic control in diabetic pregnancy has not eliminated increased congenital malformation risks in offspring.
- Insulin-dependent diabetic pregnancies carry a 2- to 4-fold higher risk of birth defects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the pathogenesis of congenital malformations in offspring of diabetic women.
- To identify specific embryonic structures potentially affected in diabetic embryopathy.
Main Methods:
- Evaluation of structural defects in infants born to insulin-dependent diabetic mothers.
- Review of existing literature on diabetic embryopathy.
Main Results:
- Four infants of insulin-dependent diabetic mothers exhibited abnormal ears and vertebral defects.
- Analysis suggests a potential primary insult to developing somite mesoderm.
Conclusions:
- Diabetic embryopathy may involve damage to embryonic somite mesoderm and cephalic neural crest cells.
- Early embryonic development, particularly somite and neural crest formation, is vulnerable in diabetic pregnancies.
Abstract:
Despite recent emphasis upon improved metabolic control during early diabetic pregnancy, the offspring of insulin-dependent diabetic women continue to have a 2- to 4-fold increased risk of congenital malformations. We recently evaluated the affected offspring of 4 insulin-dependent diabetic women. All had abnormal ears in association with vertebral defects. Our analysis of the structural defects of these infants and a review of the literature suggest that the pathogenesis of some cases of the diabetic embryopathy may involve a primary insult to developing somite mesoderm and associated cephalic neural crest cells.