[Human placental lactogen and chorionic gonadotropin in diabetic pregnancies (author's transl)].

Serial determinations of serum HPL and HCG levels were carried out in 68 diabetic women during the whole course of pregnancy. In diabetic pregnancies of the type B--D according to White's classification, HPL levels were significantly lower than control values from the 10th to the 22nd week. In diabetic pregnancies of the type White A, HPL levels were significantly lower than the normal controls at the 10th and the 38th week, otherwise there was no significant difference between the two groups. A decrease in HPL level occurred in the 37th week in normal pregnancies and in the 34th week in diabetics. Integrated values of HPL over each trimester of pregnancy (which give a measure of the overall hormone production), were all significantly lower in the diabetic pregnancies than in the normal controls. Peak levels of HCG were found from the 8th to 12th week in normal pregnancy; subsequently a continuous fall was observed until the end of pregnancy. HCG levels were significantly higher in diabetic than normal pregnancies following the 30th week and generally rose to the end of pregnancy. The integral HCG values, in diabetics of all White groups, were significantly lower in the first trimester and significantly higher in the third trimester than in the normal controls. There was no difference in integral hormone production between diabetics and controls in the second trimester. A sudden drop in the level of both hormones is a signal of fetal distress.