Increased prevalence of fetal haemoglobin in type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus.
Fetal haemoglobin levels were measured in 106 patients with Type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus during a period of two to three years. In 15 patients (14.1%) increased fetal haemoglobin levels (greater than 0.5%), determined by high pressure liquid chromatography, were found in contrast to 3% in a healthy control group (n: 100) of equal age distribution. In children aged over 6 years, elevated fetal haemoglobin levels were measured in 13 diabetic patients (13.3%) in contrast to none of the control group. There was no correlation between fetal haemoglobin levels and duration of diabetes, diabetic control (glycated haemoglobin) and dosage of insulin (U.kg-1, day-1). The 15 patients had a younger mean age at onset of diabetes (5.6 years) than a sex and age matched control group of diabetic patients without increased fetal haemoglobin levels (7.4 years, p less than 0.05). Longitudinal assessment revealed a significant decline of fetal haemoglobin levels with age (p less than 0.005) but a further increase in fetal haemoglobin levels were found in adolescent patients (n: 2). These data indicate a possible effect of insulin-treatment on delaying transition from fetal to adult haemoglobin synthesis or on reactivation of fetal haemoglobin production.
Mullis
P
P
Department of Paediatrics, University of Bern, Switzerland.
Schuler
J
J
Zuppinger
K
K
D000293:Adolescent; D000375:Aging; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000097:blood* / Q000188:drug therapy; D005260:Female; D005319:Fetal Hemoglobin / Q000032:analysis*; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000032:analysis; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000627:therapeutic use; D008297:Male
D005319:Fetal Hemoglobin; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin; D007328:Insulin