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Autoimmune gestational diabetes mellitus: a distinct clinical entity?
Author(s) -
Mauricio Dídac,
de Leiva Alberto
Publication year - 2001
Publication title -
diabetes/metabolism research and reviews
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.307
H-Index - 110
eISSN - 1520-7560
pISSN - 1520-7552
DOI - 10.1002/dmrr.237
Subject(s) - gestational diabetes , autoimmune diabetes , medicine , autoantibody , diabetes mellitus , pregnancy , immunology , type 1 diabetes , type 2 diabetes mellitus , autoimmune disease , immune system , autoimmunity , endocrinology , gestation , antibody , biology , genetics
This review gives an update of the present knowledge on what is defined here as autoimmune gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM). Autoimmune phenomena associated with type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM) can be detected in a subgroup of women with GDM. Islet autoantibodies are present in sera from women with GDM with variable frequency. Distinct phenotypic and genotypic features may be recognised in this subset of women with GDM, which are representative of a distinct clinical entity. Furthermore, these women are at increased risk of developing type 1 DM after pregnancy. However, the eventual progression of the autoimmune destruction of beta‐cells in these subjects may follow different time‐course patterns thus leading to variable forms of presentation of autoimmune DM. As a high‐risk group for type 1 diabetes, women with previous autoimmune GDM may be candidates for potential immune intervention strategies. Copyright © 2001 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.