Fetal growth is not associated with early onset of severe retinopathy in type 1 diabetes mellitus

Reduced fetal growth has been suggested as a possible risk factor for diabe tic nephropathy. The aim of the present study was to examine whether there could be an association also with rapidly progressing severe retinopathy in younger type 1 diabetic patients. Maternal pregnancy, as well as birth par ameters of 27 type 1 diabetic patients with severe retinopathy diagnosis at a median age of 25 years, were studied retrospectively. The control group consisted of 22 type 1 diabetic patients with mild background retinopathy a nd with similar age, age at onset, and duration of diabetes. Mothers of the subjects with severe retinopathy had a higher body mass index (P = 0.03) b ut similar age, blood pressure levels, and weight gain during pregnancy as those of the control group. All but four babies, two in each group, were ba rn after 37 completed gestational weeks. There were no differences regardin g birth weight or of relative birth weight corrected for gestational length . Head circumference, birth length, and placenta weight were similar. The r esults indicate that fetal growth is not a factor of major importance for t he development of severe retinopathy in younger type 1 diabetic patients. ( C) 2000 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.