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Insulin-dependent diabetes is associated with other autoimmune diseases and subclinical hypothyroidism has been reported in pregnant diabetic women. We studied the thyroid function of 85 women with diabetes during pregnancy and after delivery, as well as various autoantibodies. During pregnancy, thyroid microsomal antibodies were present in 17/85, antibodies against thyroid peroxidase in 16/85, thyroglobulin antibodies in 2/85, parietal cell antibodies in 23/85, adrenal antibodies in 4/77, rheumatoid factor in 15/85, and thyroid-stimulating antibodies in 43/85. Presence of antibodies was not combined with thyroid dysfunction, but TSH and HbA1c was increased (p

Eight insulin-dependent diabetic patients were simultaneously given subcutaneous infusions (1.12 IU/h each) of 1251-labeled Actrapid insulin in each side of the abdominal wall. After 24 h of infusion, the size of the infused insulin depots was measured by external counting for 5 h. The basal infusion rate was then doubled in one side and halved in the other for the next 4 h. Finally, 1.12 IU/h of insulin was given in both sides of the abdominal wall for an additional 3 h. The changes in the size of the depots were measured, and the absorption rates for each hour were calculated. During the first 5 h of infusion, the depot size was almost constant (∼5 IU) with an absorption rate that equaled the infusion rate. Doubling the infusion rate led to a significant increase in depot size, but the absorption rate remained unchanged for the first 3 h, and only thereafter was a significant increase seen. When the infusion rate was reduced to the initial 1.12 IU/h, the absorption rate remained elevated during the next 3 h. Correspondingly, when the infusion rate was decreased, the depot size also decreased, but the absorption rate remained unchanged for the first 3 h. The results show that a change in the basal insulin infusion rate does not lead to any immediate change in the insulin absorption rate. This should be considered when planning an insulin-infusion program that includes alteration(s) in the basal-rate setting.

Severe congenital malformations occur more often in infants of diabetic mothers than in infants of non-diabetic mothers. Fetuses exhibiting early fetal growth delay are in increased risk to be malformed and the early fetal growth rate seems to be related to the degree of metabolic control around the time of conception and in the early pregnancy. Nine insulin-dependent diabetic women (White classes B–F) were treated by means of continuous subcutaneous insulin infusion (CSII) initiated at least two months prior to conception and continued throughout pregnancy in order to evaluate the influence of optimized metabolic control on the course and outcome of diabetic pregnancy. Eleven conventionally treated pregnant diabetics (White classes B–D) served as controls. In the pump group the mean blood glucose values in the 4 weeks immediately before and after the conception were 7.7 ± 0.2 mmol/l and 8.0 ± 0.3 mmol/l, respectively, the HbA1c was 7.3 ± 0.5% at the time of conception and 6.9 ± 0.2% 6–10 weeks later. In the control group the HbA1c 6–10 weeks after conception was 7.2 ± 0.5%. In the pump group two fetuses exhibited early growth delay while all of the 11 fetuses in the control group were of normal early growth. There were no malformations in either group. All pregnancies were uncomplicated except for one case of toxaemia in the control group. Thus, during CSII treatment the metabolic control was improved in all patients. A possible beneficial effect of this improved control on the early fetal growth delay was not demonstrated. Both groups are, however, still small and definite conclusions must await further results.

The clinical acceptability and the influence on diabetes control were investigated in 50 women with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) during intake of a combined nonalkylated estrogen/progestogen compound (4 mg 17-beta estradiol, 2 mg estriol and 1 mg norethindrone) for one year. In 6 IDDM women, the influence of the hormonal treatment on diabetes control and on ovarian function was investigated by measuring the concentration of glycosylated hemoglobin (Hb-Alc), fasting plasma glucose, serum estradiol, serum estrone, serum progesterone and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG) capacity. No pregnancy occurred during the study and the overall continuation rate of 60% compare well with the continuation rate normally found in non-diabetic women after administration of conventional type oral contraceptives. No difficulties with diabetes control was registered and no significant changes in insulin requirements, 24-h urinary glucose excretion nd Hb-Alc were found. Ovulation was inhibited during the hormonal intake as judged by serum progesterone measurements. Serum estrone increased (p less than 0.05), but this had no influence on SHBG capacity, indicating that the estrogen/androgen balance was unchanged during treatment.

Eight insulin-dependent diabetic patients were given two constant infusions (each 1 IU/h) of 125I-labeled insulin into the abdominal subcutaneous tissue for about 12 h. Insulin was infused in pulses into one side of the abdomen in 6-min intervals (by means of an Auto-Syringe pump) and in the other side of the abdomen, insulin was infused in 1-h intervals (by means of a Medix pump). The size of the subcutaneous depots was continuously measured by counting the radioactivity at the infusion sites. After starting the infusions, the two depots were built up to steady-state levels at the same time and of the same size (approximately 3 IU) and with similar absorption rates. Thus, during basal rate insulin infusion, identical insulin absorption kinetics was achieved, irrespective of a 10-fold difference in the pulse rate.