Kjaer K, Hagen C, Sandø S H, Eshøj O
Department of Internal Medicine and Endocrinology, Odense University Hospital, Denmark.
Am J Obstet Gynecol. 1992 May;166(5):1412-8. doi: 10.1016/0002-9378(92)91613-f.
The null hypothesis of this study is that infertility and pregnancy outcomes in women with insulin-dependent diabetes are identical to those of nondiabetic control subjects.
A questionnaire survey comprising an unselected population of 18- to 49-year-old diabetic women and a comparable control group was performed. Reply rates were 94% (n = 245) and 88% (n = 253), respectively.
Cumulative rates of pregnancies and involuntary infertility (17%) did not differ between the two groups. Diabetic women had significantly fewer pregnancies (1.4 vs 1.7) and fewer births per pregnancy than controls, and more diabetic women were nulliparous (48% vs 38%). Half of all diabetic pregnancies were planned. Diabetic women reported that their diabetes had a negative influence on their attitude toward having children.
In insulin-dependent diabetic women the ability to conceive is normal, but diabetic women have fewer pregnancies and fewer births per pregnancy than controls.
