title: Correlation of serum insulin like growth factor-I with retinopathy in Malaysian pregnant diabetics.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To study the association of serum insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) with diabetic retinopathy.
  
  
  METHODS
  Serum IGF-1 levels were measured in 25 pregnant diabetic patients and 25 pregnant non-diabetic patients who were matched for age, ethnicity, parity and period of gestation. Fundus examination was performed in both groups at 28, 32 and 36 weeks of gestation.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The serum IGF-I level was significantly elevated in pregnant diabetics compared to pregnant non-diabetics (366±199μg/L vs 184±89μg/L, (P=0.0001) at 24 weeks, 535±251μg/L vs 356±89μg/L, (P=0.007) at 32 weeks and 404±166μg/L vs 264±113μg/L, (P=0.003) at 36 weeks of gestation). The pregnant diabetics with established diabetes had significantly higher IGF-1 level than gestational diabetes at 28, 32 and 36 weeks of gestation. The serum IGF-I level in pregnant diabetics with retinopathy was significantly higher than that in those without retinopathy at all periods of gestation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Increased serum IGF-1 in pregnancy may increase the risks for retinopathy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Ophthalmology, Kulliyyah of Medicine, International Islamic University, Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia.
authors.forename: S
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Adzura
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Muhaya
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Normalina
authors.forename: A M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Zaleha
authors.forename: W P
authors.initials: WP
authors.lastname: Sharifa Ezat
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Tajunisah