[Pregnancy of diabetic women with diabetic angiopathy. Clinical results in correlation of morphological findings on the placenta].

In comparison with morphological changes of the placentae 58 pregnancies of class D and F-diabetics (with diabetic angiolopathy) were analysed. The incidence of toxaemia was 55%. Insulin requirement decreased some days before delivery in 8 cases (14%). The perinatal mortality rate amounted to 17%. Birth weights were found between 2500 and 3000 g in 9 cases, below 2500 g in 8 cases with signs of intrauterine growth retardation. The majority of placentae showed medium-sized to severe diabetic disturbances of maturation on an average more severe than in diabetics without angiolopathy. A "modification" or "mascing" of maturation disturbances by severe toxaemia is discussed. The antenatal retardation of fetal growth in some cases was attributed in part to the diabetic maturation disturbances of the placentae. Another cause may be the defective uteroplacental circulation caused by narrowing processes of myometrial and decidual arteries in consequence of long-term diabetes and hypertension.