Glycohemoglobin (A1C) distribution in school children: results from a school-based screening program.
OBJECTIVE
To establish the normal distribution for glycohemoglobin (A1C) in sixth and seventh grade children and to assess the practicality of a school-based fingerstick screening program.


METHODS
Fingerstick capillary whole blood was collected from 400 children aged 11 to 13 years and the percent A1C was determined on-site.


RESULTS
Among the boys, the A1C was significantly higher among the minorities (4.88+/-0.37%, mean+/-S.D.) than among the non-hispanic whites (4.73+/-0.41%, P<0.01), but was similar in the two groups of girls (4.74+/-0.41 and 4.75+/-0.34, respectively, P=0.88). None of the students had abnormal glucose tolerance by the standards published for adults.


CONCLUSIONS
A1C in boys was higher among minorities than among the non-hispanic whites, even at this young age of 11-13 years. This may be an early sign of predisposition to type 2 diabetes among the groups known to be at higher risk for type 2 diabetes. However, this difference was not seen among girls. Reasons for the discrepancy between boys and girls is unexplained. A school-based fingerstick screening program proved to be practical. As the risk of obesity-related diseases, such as type 2 diabetes mellitus, increases among youth, the classroom may become an important location for screening.
Pettitt
David J
DJ
Sansum Diabetes Research Institute, 2219 Bath Street, Santa Barbara, CA 93105, USA. dpettitt@sansum.org
Giammattei
Joyce
J
Wollitzer
Alison Okada
AO
Jovanovic
Lois
L
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000097:blood* / Q000175:diagnosis; D005260:Female; D005951:Glucose Tolerance Test; D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin / Q000378:metabolism*; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D012572:School Health Services; D013334:Students
D006442:Glycated Hemoglobin