Body mass index and partial remission in 119 children with type 1 diabetes-a 6-year observational study.

Background/objective: This long-term study aimed to analyze the associations between BMI Z-score, HbA1c, and daily insulin requirement (DIR) and the prevalence and duration of partial remission (PR) in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes (T1D). Methods: After retrieving retrospective data for 195 patients from their health records at 24, 48, and 72 months after T1D diagnosis, the study group was comprised of 119 (57 girls) children with a complete dataset for all 6 years. PR was defined according to the ISPAD guidelines. Analyses were carried out in the whole group and subgroups according to PR duration: no PR at all (NPR), PR lasting less than 2 years (PR < 2), and PR at least 2 years (PR ≥ 2). Results: PR was observed in 63% of the patients (78.9% of overweight and 100% of obese patients). NPR patients showed the lowest mean initial BMI Z-score [-0.65 ± 1.29 vs. 0.02 ± 1.42, (PR < 2), p = 0.01 and vs. 0.64 ± 1.43 (PR ≥ 2), p = 0.17]. The dissimilarity in BMI across patients declined over time. Within the NPR group, the initial mean BMI Z-score significantly increased within the first 2 years (unadjusted p < 0.001) and remained constant afterward. In the PR <2 group, the highest increase in BMI Z-score occurred after 4 years (p < 0.001) and then decreased (p = 0.04). In the PR ≥2, the BMI Z-score slightly decreased within the first 2 years (p = 0.02), then increased (p = 0.03) and remained unchanged for the last 2 years. Six years after T1D started, the mean DIRs do not differ among the patient groups (ANOVA p = 0.272). Conclusion: During 6 years of follow-up, PR occurred in almost two-thirds of the studied children including almost all overweight and obese children. We observed a gradual normalization of the BMI Z-score at the end of the follow-up. BMI Z-score increased slightly in children with no remission initially but remained later constant until the end of observation. In both remitter groups, the increase in BMI Z-score appeared later when the protective honeymoon period ended. Regardless of BMI Z-score, the ß-cell destruction process progresses, and after 6 years, the DIR is similar for all patients.

Severe malnutrition as a cause of transient carbohydrate metabolism disorders which evolved into hyperosmolar hyperglycaemic state.

The hyperosmolar hyperglycaemic state (HHS) is a very severe condition characterised by hyperosmolality, hyperglycaemia and dehydration without significant ketosis. The article presents the case of a 14.5-year-old cachectic patient with diagnosed HHS. Appropriate treatment per the ISPAD Guidelines was implemented. After metabolic stabilisation was achieved, the patient was transferred for further treatment to the Pediatric Gastroenterology Department due to her life-threatening cachexia. Normal glucose levels were observed during hospitalisation and the patient required no further insulin supplementation. Unfortunately, two months after discharge from hospital, the patient suffered sudden death at home. The patient did not live until full diabetological diagnostics could be performed. The transient hyperglycaemia may have been caused by a very early stage of type 1 diabetes (pre-diabetes), malnutrition-related diabetes mellitus (MRDM) or stress-induced hyperglycaemia (SIH). The case demonstrates that HHS can develop not only secondary to diabetes, but also be a severe complication of transient carbohydrate metabolism disorders in the course of cachexia.

Clinical heterogeneity among pediatric patients with autoimmune type 1 diabetes stratified by immunoglobulin deficiency.

BACKGROUND: Type 1 diabetes (T1D) may coexist with primary immunodeficiencies, indicating a shared genetic background. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the prevalence and clinical characteristics of immunoglobulin deficiency (IgD) among children with T1D. METHODS: Serum samples and medical history questionnaires were obtained during routine visits from T1D patients aged 4-18 years. IgG, IgA, IgM, and IgE were measured by nephelometry and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). IgG and IgM deficiency (IgGD, IgMD) were defined as IgG/IgM >2 standard deviations (SD) below age-adjusted mean. IgE deficiency was defined as IgE <2 kIU/L. IgA deficiency (IgAD) was defined as IgA >2 SD below age-adjusted mean irrespective of other immunoglobulin classes (absolute if <0.07 g/L, partial otherwise) and as selective IgAD when IgA >2 SD below age-adjusted mean with normal IgG and IgM (absolute if <0.07 g/L, partial otherwise). RESULTS: Among 395 patients (53.4% boys) with the median age of 11.2 (8.4-13.7) and diabetes duration 3.6 (1.1-6.0) years, 90 (22.8%) were found to have hypogammaglobulinemia. The IgGD and IgAD were the most common each in 40/395 (10.1%). Complex IgD was found in seven patients. Increased odds of infection-related hospitalization (compared to children without any IgD) was related to having any kind of IgD and IgAD; OR (95%CI) = 2.1 (1.2-3.7) and 3.7 (1.8-7.5), respectively. Furthermore, IgAD was associated with having a first-degree relative with T1D OR (95%CI) = 3.3 (1.4-7.6) and suffering from non-autoimmune comorbidities 3.3 (1.4-7.6), especially neurological disorders 3.5 (1.2-10.5). CONCLUSIONS: IgDs frequently coexist with T1D and may be associated with several autoimmune and nonimmune related disorders suggesting their common genetic background.