AN EPIDEMIC OF CHILDHOOD DIABETES IN THE UNITED-STATES - EVIDENCE FROM ALLEGHENY COUNTY, PENNSYLVANIA

OBJECTIVE- To evaluate IDDM trends in Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, from 1965 to 1989. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS- A population-based registry established in 1976-the Allegheny County Registry-was used for this study through a retrospective chart review of all cases diagnosed in the county from 1965. Through this registry, cases of IDDM patients <20 yr of age were identified. In addition, pediatricians in the county were contacted about IDDM cases they diagnosed between 1965 and 1989 in individuals <20 yr of age. RESULTS- For the first time a major increase in IDDM was seen (1985-1989). This increase in IDDM was heterogenous with the rise for males being double that for females. The increase for non-white males was considerably greater than that seen for white males, and an exceptionally large increase in the youngest age-group (0-4 yr of age) was observed. CONCLUSIONS- Ecological analyses indicated an association between chicken pox infection and IDDM, and this suggested that at least part of the rise may be of an infectious origin.