Diabetes class is a classification system developed by Priscilla White to exemplify the effects of diabetes on mothers and babies throughout pregnancy. White was the founding researcher who recognized the distinction necessary for perinatology studies related to diabetes. Using the White system, there are two main types of diabetes, gestational diabetes- class a diabetes-and pre-gestational diabetes- class b diabetes.

Gestational diabetes is a condition in which the pancreas cannot produce enough insulin or the body cannot absorb the insulin and therefore has elevated blood sugar levels. This condition is similar to type 2 diabetes, however, the condition will resolve itself after the mother has delivered her baby. White distinguished gestational diabetes sufferers by their mode of treatment. The blood sugar levels of a1 were regulated by their diet, while the blood sugar levels of a2 were controlled through injections of insulin.

White defines pre-gestational diabetes as diabetes that a woman …

When diabetic nephropathy (Class F) and Proliferative retinopathy (Class R) coexist, this is considered Class RF diabetes. Diabetic retinopathy and nephropathy are both micro-vascular complications which seem to be related in patients with diabetes. Diabetic retinopathy is a major cause of adult blindness. Diabetic nephropathy causes renal failure in patients. The correlation between the two conditions were deemed ‘diabetic renal-retinal syndrome’ in 1979.

Since the two conditions are often found together, diabetes patients with both conditions are considered to have Class RF Diabetes. Class RF diabetes is more often found in Type 1 diabetics. According to uKidney.com, 90% of patients with diabetic neuropathy will also have diabetic retinopathy. In cases where there is no diabetic retinopathy in type-1, it is rare to have diabetic nephropathy. Therefore, diabetic retinopathy in type-1 diabetes is usually an indicator that diabetic nephropathy will manifest.

On the other hand, in type-2 diabetes the absence …