title: [Forty years of experience in the treatment of children with type 1 diabetes mellitus in Algeria].
abstract: Unbalanced type I diabetes mellitus in childhood can lead to metabolic and microangiopathic complications, including growth retardation, poor social integration and even death, particularly in developing countries. The author reviews the files of an infantile diabetic clinic created in 1968 with very limited human and material resources. A total of 722 children with type 1 diabetes mellitus were regularly monitored Microangiopathic complications became less frequent and occurred later in the disease course. Severe metaboliccomplications, and particularly recurrent coma, almost disappeared. Self-monitoring and adherence to treatment improved considerably. The average HbA1c level is now 7.4%, a value similar to that obtained in rich countries. After five years of follow-up, 40% of children now have good glycemic control. However, many are too poor to eat a varied and balanced diet, which is the only way of reducing the growing frequency of hypoglycemia.
authors.affiliation: Clinique médicale infantile, CHU Mustapha, Alger, Algérie.
authors.forename: Mostefa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Keddari
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000462:Algeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D010353:Patient Education as Topic