Alcoholic lymphalgia in early syphilis.

Another point to consider is whether treatment of diabetes could have played a significant part in the aetiology of renal agenesis. The critical time for renal development is between 3 and 7 weeks, the somite stage to 18 mm size. During this time the mesonephros, mesonephric duct, metanephros and ureteric bud are in an active stage of development (Shikinami, 1926; Torrey, 1954). Hypoglycaemia has been suggested as the cause of congenital malformations (Hagbard, 1956; Kyle, 1963). In these cases there was no evidence of hypoglycaemia during the critical period. Oral hypoglycaemic drugs have been reported to be teratogenic (Larssen & Sterky, 1960). Although the second patient was given chlorpropamide for 2 weeks, this was not until after the critical period for renal development. The circulation of amniotic fluid probably involves several pathways (Plentyl, 1966). The association of oligohydramnios with renal agenesis suggests that the foetal urinary system is an important pathway for maintaining normal amniotic fluid volume.