Epidemiological pattern of newly diagnosed children with type 1 diabetes mellitus, Taif, Saudi Arabia.
OBJECTIVE
Type-1-diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is the most commonly diagnosed type of DM in children and adolescents. We aim to identify the epidemiological profile, risk factors, clinical features, and factors related to delayed diagnosis or mismanagement in children with newly diagnosed T1DM in Taif, Saudi Arabia.


METHODS
Ninety-nine newly diagnosed patients were included in the study along with 110 healthy controls. Patients were classified into 3 groups (I: >2 years, II: 2->6 years, and III: 6-12 years). Both patients and controls were tested for C-peptide, TSH, and autoantibodies associated with DM and those attacking the thyroid gland.


RESULTS
Diabetic ketoacidosis was present in 79.8%. Delayed and missed diagnoses were recorded in 45.5%, with significant correlation to age and district of origin. Severity at presentation showed significant correlation with age and cow's milk feeding. Group I, those with misdiagnosis or positive DM related autoantibodies, had more severe presentations. The correlation of C-peptide and TSH levels in patients and controls was significant for C-peptide and nonsignificant for TSH.


CONCLUSIONS
Misdiagnosis and mismanagement are common and account for more severe presentation, especially in young children >2 years. Early introduction of cow's milk appears to be a risk factor for the development of T1DM.
Pediatric Department, Faculty of Medicine, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt.
Naglaa Mohamed
NM
Kamal Alanani
Adnan Amin
AA
Alsulaimani
D000818:Animals; D002096:C-Peptide / Q000097:blood; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D057210:Delayed Diagnosis; D003922:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D016883:Diabetic Ketoacidosis / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D008297:Male; D008892:Milk / Q000009:adverse effects; D012307:Risk Factors; D012529:Saudi Arabia / Q000453:epidemiology; D013972:Thyrotropin / Q000097:blood
D002096:C-Peptide; D013972:Thyrotropin