Children diagnosed with diabetes during infancy have unique clinical characteristics

Objective: Characterizing clinical and biochemical features of children diagnosed with diabetes mellitus between the ages of 6-24 months. Design and Methods: Medical records of 42 children diagnosed with diabetes mellitus at age of 6-24 months were reviewed for gender, ethnic origin, family medical history, clinical and biochemical features at onset of diabetes compared with 60 diabetic patients diagnosed at age 5-16 years. Results: Children diagnosed at 6-24 months had at onset more symptoms of apathy, restlessness, hyperglycemia during acute illness and a lower rate of remission than those diagnosed at older age (p < 0.001), significantly more episodes of diabetic ketoacidosis (83% vs. 40%, p < 0.001), lower HbA1c levels (mean 11.6 +/- 8 3.4 vs. 13.75 +/- 8 3.4%, p < 0.05) and a higher rate of celiac disease ( 12% vs. 3%, p = 0.046). There were no significant differences as to other autoimmune diseases. Conclusions: Patients with diabetes presenting at 6-24 months might be associated with a different clinical pattern and higher rate of celiac disease than diabetes presenting later in life. Understanding the nature and course of diabetes in this age group is crucial for planning interventional and preventive programs. Copyright (c) 2007 S. Karger AG, Basel.