[Diabetic retinopathy during pregnancy].

INTRODUCTION

The aim was to evaluate the prevalence and progression of diabetic retinopathy during pregnancy in women with type 1 or type 2 diabetes.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

Dilated fundal photography was performed at approximately 10 and 28 gestational weeks in 58 and 18 women with type 1 and type 2 diabetes, respectively. Retinopathy was classified as five stages +/- macular oedema. Progression was defined as deterioration corresponding to at least one stage between the two examinations. Clinical parameters were obtained from the medical records.

RESULTS

Diabetic retinopathy was found in 36 (62%) women with type 1 and three (17%) with type 2 diabetes at the first examination. In 26 (34%) retinopathy progressed; four women developed proliferations, three macular oedema and three reduction of visual acuity >/=0.2 on Snellen's chart in at least one eye. HbA1c in early pregnancy was the only significant predictor of progression (odds ratio = 1.75, 95% confidence interval = 1.09-2.82). Progression of retinopathy also tended to be associated with type 1 diabetes and long diabetes duration.

CONCLUSION

The risk of progression of diabetic retinopathy during pregnancy was considerable, especially among women with high HbA1c values in early pregnancy. A few women developed proliferations, macular oedema and reduction of visual acuity. Development of sight-threatening alterations during pregnancy remains a clinical problem.