A comparison of biosynthetic human insulin with porcine insulin in the blood glucose control of diabetic pregnancy.

Fifty insulin-dependent pregnant diabetic women were treated from presentation at the antenatal clinic with a regimen of either porcine or biosynthetic human soluble and isophane insulins. Blood glucose values, glycosylated haemoglobin, insulin requirements and outcome of pregnancy were compared in the two groups of patients. No difference was noted in blood glucose control, birth weight or neonatal complications. In the group treated with human insulin, fasting blood glucose could only be controlled by significantly greater doses of human isophane insulin injected before the evening meal. Furthermore, in two cases adequate glycaemic control required the injection of the evening human isophane insulin to be delayed until bedtime.