An unusual cause of severe hypoglycaemia in type 1 diabetes mellitus. Antepartum pituitary failure: a case report and literature review.
We describe an unusual cause of severe hypoglycaemia, secondary to hypopituitarism as a result of antepartum pituitary failure, in a pregnant patient with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). Antepartum pituitary failure is a very rare condition, which has been reported only in a very small number of pregnant patients with diabetes and presents with an acute onset headache and a sub-arachnoid haemorrhage-like picture. It is a potentially fatal condition to the mother and the child if not recognised and treated. Our case report highlights the importance of thinking about hypopituitarism, as a cause of recurrent hypoglycaemia in pregnant patients with T1DM as missing the diagnosis could be fatal to the mother and child.
Tahrani
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Department of Diabetes and Endocrinology, The Hummingbird Centre, Royal Shrewsbury Hospital, Shrewsbury, UK. abdtahrani@yahoo.co.uk
West
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Macleod
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D000328:Adult; D048909:Diabetes Complications / Q000175:diagnosis; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007003:Hypoglycemia / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000209:etiology; D007018:Hypopituitarism / Q000097:blood / Q000150:complications* / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D010902:Pituitary Gland / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging; D011247:Pregnancy; D011254:Pregnancy in Diabetics / Q000097:blood*; D011859:Radiography