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 …

Class R diabetes is diabetes that is associated with retinopathy. Diabetic retinopathy is caused by damage to the blood vessels in the retina. It is the most common eye disease in diabetes. A person with Class R diabetes will not notice changes in their vision at first. Overtime it gets worse and causes vision loss. Worst of all, it usually affects both eyes.

There are four stages of diabetic retinopathy, they are:

Mild Nonproliferative Retinopathy – This is the earliest stage, where microaneurysms occur. Microaneurysms are small areas of balloon-like swelling in the retina’s tiny blood vessels.

Moderate Nonproliferative Retinopathy – The disease progresses and some blood vessels, which nourish the retina, are blocked.

Severe Nonproliferative Retinopathy – In this stage many more blood vessels are blocked. This deprives several areas of the retina of a blood supply. Signals are sent to the body to grow new blood vessels.

Proliferative …