Other types of Diabetes

There are two other types of diabetes:

Diabetes of pregnancy (Gestational Diabetes)

In pregnancy, in some susceptible women, diabetes may occur and usually goes away after the baby is born. If diet regulation does not control the diabetes (known as "gestational diabetes"), insulin is necessary. It is likely that the diabetes will recur in subsequent pregnancies and these women are more likely to develop diabetes later in life.

Babies born of mothers with gestational or other types of diabetes are likely to be of high birth weight, and poorly controlled diabetes is associated with congenital malformations, complications such as pre- eclampsia (high blood pressure), and death in the uterus (womb).

Secondary Diabetes

This may occur as a result of:

• Pancreatic disease, such as in chronic pancreatitis, or haemochromatosis, or where more than 90% of the pancreas has been surgically removed
• Drugs (steroids and thiazides)
• Endocrine disease (such as Cushing's Syndrome)
• Other rare causes, (such as glycogen storage diseases)