Longer-term outcomes of infections in pregnancy: pathogenesis of diabetes and other chronic infections

Abstract

Rubella and cytomegalovirus (CMV) are recognised causes of congenital diabetes. The role of in utero infection with other viruses, such as enteroviruses (EV), in the development of childhood diabetes is less clear. Epidemiological studies have demonstrated an association between maternal EV infection and subsequent development of type 1 diabetes in their offspring, suggesting that the disease process begins in utero.