Increased serum IGF-I during pregnancy is associated with progression of diabetic retinopathy

The IGF system has been associated with development and progression of diabetic retinopathy. We examined whether a simple measurement of the IGF system (serum total IGF-I) correlated with progression of diabetic retinopathy in pregnancy in type 1 diabetes. A prospective observational study was performed in 103 pregnant women with type 1 diabetes. Serum IGF-I was measured in maternal serum from week 14, every fourth week until week 30, and every second week until delivery. Twenty-four-hour blood pressure was measured with a portable oscillometry monitor. The women had visual acuity testing and fundus photography before pregnancy, once in each trimester, and 4 months after birth. Each eye was assigned an overall retinopathy grade on a scale from 1 to 6 independently by two experienced graders. During pregnancy, serum IGF-I increased with increasing gestational age until a plateau was reached in week 32. Progression of retinopathy was significantly associated with a higher level of IGF-I (P < 0.01). Serum IGF-I increased with increasing progression of retinopathy. Change of retinopathy was significantly associated with level of IGF-I (P < 0.01). During pregnancy, serum IGF-I increased with increasing birth weight until a plateau was reached in week 32. Birth weight was significantly associated with a higher level of serum IGF-I (P < 0.01).