Evaluation of microalbuminuria 4 to 6 years following type 1 diabetes in children

ABSTRACT

Diabetic nephropathy is one of the major complications and a leading cause of mortality and morbidity in diabetes mellitus. Microalbuminuria is the earliest sign of diabetic nephropathy and it is highly related to glycemic control. Progression of diabetic nephropathy is mostly asymptomatic until advanced stages of renal failure. In this study microalbuminuria and its correlation with duration of diabetes and quality of diabetes control [HbAIc level] is evaluated in 50 children with type 1 diabetes mellitus. Fifty children 4 to 6 years following the onset of type 1 diabetes, below 20 years of age, were enrolled in this study. Twenty four hrs urine was checked twice within 3 to 6 months period for microalbuminuria by nephelometry method and values >30 mg/24hrs were ponsidered abnormal. Also HbAIc level and FBS level assessed simultaneously. Mean FBS level during the years of diabetes and number of attacks of DKA were. Fifty children, 4 to 19 years old with mean age of 14.54 +/- 3.62 years, 28 [56%] males Completed the study. Nineteen [38%], 14 [28%] and 17 [34%] children enrolled in this study 4, 5, 6 after the onset of their diabetes respectively. At 1[st] evaluation microalbuminuria was detected in [26.3%], 4 [28.6%] and 6 [35.3%] children, 4, 5, 6 years after diabetes respectively. At 2[nd] evaluation these values were 4 [21.1%], 6 [42.9%] and 7 [41.2%] respectively. There was no Significant correlation between HbAIC level, FBS level, and mean FBS level during the years of diabetes in microalbuminuric and non-microalbuminuric children. Despite small sample size of this study, microalbuminuria was detected in children even 4 years after the onset of diabetes and its frequency increased in children with 5 and 6 years of diabetes. We recommend earlier than usual recommendations for microalbuminuria screening in diabetic children