A case of a young pregnant woman with type 2 diabetes in which the progression of proliferative retinopathy and macular edema were observed until induced abortion

A 28-year-old woman was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes mellitus at 17 years of age. Although she started to receive oral medicine and insulin therapy, she repeatedly discontinued the therapy under her own judgment. Eleven years later, she became pregnant, and in her seventh week of pregnancy, she was admitted to our hospital for blood glucose control and to evaluate her diabetic complications. Her HbAlc was 14.1 %, and she had bilateral proliferative retinopathy and macular edema. After admission, although she had achieved a fasting glucose level of approximately 150 mg/dL by intensive insulin therapy, maculopathy progressed, and her visual acuity worsened. She underwent abortion surgery in the eleventh week of pregnancy. After the abortion, the fasting and postprandial blood glucose levels were controlled to 120-140 mg/dL and 140-160 mg/dL, respectively, and the rapid progression of her retinopathy was stopped. We must recognize the importance of diabetes management for young women of child-bearing age to ensure that their health condition is maintained and successful pregnancy is achieved.