The Frequency of Diabetic Nephropathy in Children and Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus

Abstract

Background: Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder caused by insulin secretion disorder. The aim of this study was to determine the distribution of diabetic nephropathy in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus in Isfahan City, Iran. Methods: In this cross-sectional study conducted in 2018, in the Pediatric Endocrinology Clinic of Isfahan University of Medical Sciences, 301 patients under the age of 18 years with type 1 diabetes mellitus were selected Then, the ratio of microalbumin to random urinary creatinine, as a method for diagnosis of diabetic nephropathy, was measured, and its relationship with demographic characteristics, clinical history, hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), and blood pressure was investigated. Findings: Of 301 patients, 12 (4%) had diabetic nephropathy. Among the studied variables, there was a significant relationship between nephropathy with blood glucose control (P = 0.020), mean HbA1c (P < 0.001), and mean systolic blood pressure (P < 0.001). Conclusion: The results of this study showed that the prevalence of diabetic nephropathy in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus in Isfahan was 4%, and some of risk factors such as proper control of blood glucose, systolic blood pressure, and HBA1C levels were significantly associated with it. Therefore, patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus should be monitored for risk factors of nephropathy.

Keywords

• diabetic nephropathy
• type 1 diabetes
• adolescent