Experimental and clinical endocrinology & diabetes : official journal, German Society of Endocrinology [and] German Diabetes Association
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Exp. Clin. Endocrinol. Diabetes · Feb 2007
Review Case ReportsAn 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.