Does Pregnancy Influence the Prognosis of Uncomplicated Insulin-dependent Diabetes Mellitus?

To evaluate the effect of one or two pregnancies on the prevalence and severity of late diabetic complications, 22 pairs (44 patients) of female insulin-dependent diabetic (IDDM) patients were examined. Each pair consisted of one patient who had completed one or two pregnancies and one who had not. The two groups were carefully matched with respect to age, duration of disease, endogenous insulin secretory capacity, quality of blood glucose control, insulin requirement, hospitalization, and social status. No differences in prevalence or severity of retinopathy, nephropathy, and neuropathy were found.