Renal complications during pregnancy in a patient with diabetes mellitus

Abstract

We present a 23-year-old woman with a 7-year history of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) who became pregnant. At the 23th week of pregnancy she exhibited the signs and symptoms (hypertension, edema, proteinuria) of both diabetic nephropathy and preeclampsia. A cesarean section was successfully performed. The proteinuria persisted for more than 3 months after delivery. Renal biopsy confirmed the diagnosis of diabetic glomerulosclerosis together with the renal findings attributable to preeclampsia. The rapid acceleration of diabetic nephropathy in this patient was attributed to preeclampsia. We therefore recommend that patients with DM be followed closely during pregnancy in an attempt to prevent the acceleration of renal damage by preeclampsia.