Clinical Dystrophia Myotonica first presenting as Gestational Diabetes

Abstract

Myotonic dystrophy is a rare form of muscular dystrophy that is associated with glucose intolerance and hyperinsulinism, among other associated endocrinopathies. It is a cause of infertility in males, and it's effect on pregnancy of affected females has been described, generally a deterioration of their clinical symptoms, as well as other possible complications such as polyhydramnios, reduced fetal movement, preterm labour and postpartum hemorrhage; however; the occurrence of gestational diabetes (GDM) in myotonic patients has not been described in the literature, although it may account for some of the previously mentioned pregnancy related complications. We present a 37 year old female who came to our attention with newly diagnosed GDM during her second pregnancy, and exhibited long standing physical signs of myotonia that worsened during her pregnancy.