[Cognitive function in children with type 1 diabetes].
OBJECTIVE
To study the changes in cognitive function of children with type 1 diabetes and explore the possible factors influencing cognitive function.


METHODS
Thirty-two children with type 1 diabetes (disease course equal to or more than one year) and aged from 6 to 16 years, were enrolled in this study. Cognitive function was evaluated by the Chinese Wechsler Intelligence Scale. Factors influencing cognitive function were investigated using multiple regression analysis. Thirty-two age- and gender-matched healthy children served as the control group.


RESULTS
Verbal intelligence quotient in the diabetic group was significantly lower than in the control group (97±15 vs 118±13; P<0.01). Full intelligence quotient in the diabetic group was also lower than in the control group (99±15 vs 113±12; P<0.01). In the verbal scale test, a sub-test of the Wechsler Intelligence Scale, scores in knowledge, category, comprehension, arithmetics and vocabulary scale in the diabetic group were significantly lower than in the control group (P<0.01). Multiple regression analysis showed that glycosylated hemoglobin level was significantly negatively with full, verbal and operation intelligence quotients in diabetic children (r=-5.64, -7.29, -3.00 respectively; P<0.05).


CONCLUSIONS
Type 1 diabetes may affect adversely children's verbal intelligence quotient, resulting in a decreased full intelligence quotient. Glycosylated hemoglobin may be an independent risk factor for cognitive function in diabetic children.
Department of Pediatrics, Shengjing Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang 110004, China.
Jia
J
Ni
Ying
Y
Xin
D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D003071:Cognition; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007360:Intelligence; D008297:Male; D012044:Regression Analysis