Endocrine Abstracts

Background: Medium-chain acyl-CoA dehydrogenase deficiency (MCADD) is an autosomal recessive inherited disorder resulting in the inability to breakdown medium-chain fatty acids to provide energy during periods of low-calorie intake and hypoglycaemia (infections, fasting, vomiting). Without urgent treatment, the accumulation of toxic fatty acids leads to encephalopathy and sudden death.

Pregnant females with Type 1 diabetes require strict glucose control for a favourable outcome for mother and baby. National guidelines advise aiming for fasting capillary blood glucose (CBG) levels

Case: A 17-year-old lady was diagnosed with MCADD soon after birth and Type 1 diabetes at age 7 years. She had paediatric/metabolic disease specialist care thought her childhood and kept her CBG levels raised to avoid hypoglycaemia [median (range) HbA1c: 89 (68-129) mmol/mol over the past 3 years]. She attended our adult diabetes-antenatal clinic during her pregnancy.

Management: With 1-2 weekly clinic visits she continued her basal-bolus insulin regimen (Lantus & Novorapid), Folic acid and Aspirin. She improved her CBG levels throughout pregnancy: median (range) HbA1c: 53 (42-55) mmol/mol. During labour and delivery we used a variable rate insulin and glucose infusion, aiming for CBG levels between 5-10 mmol/l rather than the usual 4-7.8 mmol/l, so as to maintain sufficient glucose-related energy and block alternative energy-producing pathways. She had an uncomplicated delivery.

Conclusion: The combination of Type 1 diabetes and MCADD in pregnancy is a rare challenge to the obstetrician, diabetologist, dietitian and most importantly, to the patient. Uncomplicated cases (with no concurrent illness, frequent vomiting or prolonged fasting) should go well. The importance of a multidisciplinary team approach to care and seeking advice from the inherited metabolic disease specialist cannot be overemphasized.