PREGNANCIES COMPLICATED BY DIABETIC PROLIFERATIVE RETINOPATHY

Background. To examine retinal and pregnancy outcome in insulin-depend ent diabetic women with proliferative retinopathy and assess the effec t of albuminuria on morbidity. Methods. The records of 26 women with k nown proliferative retinopathy before pregnancy were studied retrospec tively in the prepregnancy period, during pregnancy, and after deliver y. Perinatal and maternal morbidity was studied using ophthalmic, obst etric and pediatric records. Results. Seven pregnancies were delivered preterm (27%). Serious neonatal morbidity occurred in five pregnancie s (19%). Perinatal survival was 88%. Laser treatment was given prior t o pregnancy to 54%, during pregnancy to 27% and after delivery to 31% of the women. Laser treatment during pregnancy was more common in thos e with no prior photocoagulation and in White class F/R. Low birthweig ht was more frequently associated with nephropathy and proliferative r etinopathy compared to retinopathy alone (p<0.05). Recent hemorrhage, maculopathy or glaucoma was found in 14 (54%) of the women. Blindness developed unilaterally in two women. Conclusions. Perinatal morbidity was associated with nephropathy rather than retinopathy. The incidence of hemorrhage, maculopathy or glaucoma was similar in White classes R and F/R.