significance of lipid abnormalities in children with insulin-dependant diabetes mellitus

ABSTRACT

To evaluate serum lipids in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus and its relation to glycemic control, in comparison with sex and age matched non-diabetic children. Fasting blood glucose, glycosylated haemoglobin [HbAlc] and lipid profile were estimated in 45 children [20 males and 25 females] with type 1 diabetes attending diabetic clinic at Sulaymani children hospital from the period of November 2005 till Jully 2006. Fifty health children [23 males and 27 females] admitted to the same hospital with acute illnesses like respiratory tract infections were randomly selected as controls. Mean total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-C, VLDL-C, and LDL-C/HDL-C ratio were significantly higher in diabetic children compared to the control. However, there was no significant difference in the levels of HDL-C in both groups .In addition to that, diabetic patients with poor control have a significantly higher levels of blood glucose, total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-C and LDL-C/HDL-C ratio as compared to those with good control. A significant correlation between most lipid variables and HbAlc was observed in diabetic patients. Children with type 1 diabetes should be screened for serum lipids as significant lipid abnormalities are related to glycemic control. Both can be improved with dietary guidelines and insulin therapy