[Diabetic retinopathy: onset in pregnancy (author's transl)]

Retinopathy appeared during pregnancy, mostly in the last trimester, in 20 female diabetics. In some cases the retinopathy reappeared during the subsequent pregnancy, whilst in other cases it skipped one or two pregnancies. The retinopathy was mostly of a mild form and, in about half the cases, disappeared spontaneously post partum. In the remaining cases it remained stationary or subsided to a great extent, but certainly did not become progressive. Forms of angiopathy other than retinopathy remained in the background. No toxicoses, and no other complications were seen during pregnancy. Hence, pregnancy promotes or accelerates the onset of diabetic retinopathy, its influence on the course of the disease being favourable rather than harmful.