Clinico-Laboratory Characteristics and Immediate Outcome in Children With Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

BACKGROUND Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by hyperglycaemia resulting from an absolute or relative deficiency of insulin. The burden of childhood diabetes is rising all over the world. METHODS This is a descriptive study conducted at a tertiary care hospital. Eighty-five children with diabetes mellitus admitted during the study period were included. Clinical details, laboratory parameters were collected from the medical records and the data was analysed using statistical tests. RESULTS Eighty-five children less than 12 years were included in this study. Female: male ratio was 1.43:1. Age wise distribution was 0-5 years (28.24%), 5-10 years (40%), 10-12 years (31.76%). Majority of them were from lower socioeconomic class (71.76%). Family history of diabetes mellitus was present in forty-one children. Majority of them presented with osmotic symptoms like polyuria (82.35%), polydipsia (80%). Forty-six children presented with diabetic ketoacidosis. Type 1 diabetes was diagnosed in 88.24% of the subjects. There were two children with Type 2 diabetes mellitus. The mean RBS at presentation was 470.42±125.02 and the mean HbA1c was 11.05 ± 1.98. There was no statistically significant difference in the duration of onset of symptoms to diagnosis between the ketotic and non ketotic group. The BMI was in the range 10 to 25, with mean value 15.09 ± 3.39. There was no mortality among the subjects. CONCLUSIONS Type 1 diabetes is still the predominant form of diabetes among children. Osmotic symptoms like polyuria, polydipsia are the most common presenting symptoms. Younger children are more prone to have diabetic ketoacidosis. Awareness of diabetes care is essential for the successful management of the disease.