Characteristics of glycemic control in young children with type 1 diabetes

Abtract: Background: The Diabetes Control and Complications Trial (DCCT) demonstrated that the rate-limiting step to the intensification of diabetes management in adolescents and adults was hypoglycemia. Young children were presumed to be at even greater risk for hypoglycemia with severe consequences, particularly if they had HbA1c levels < 8%.
Subjects: A retrospective chart review was performed on 148 patients with type 1 diabetes on insulin injection therapy who were < 8 yr of age (mean age 5.7 ± 1.5, mean diabetes duration 3.0 ± 1.4 yr) followed quarterly from July 1999 to June 2001.
Methods:  The subjects were divided into two groups based on their mean HbA1c values (< 8 vs. ≥ 8%) averaged over the 2-yr time period. The following variables were analyzed comparing the two groups: age, duration of diabetes, insulin dose, severe hypoglycemic episodes, episodes of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), percentage of glucose levels above, within, and below the target range, and number of diabetes home-management competencies obtained.
Results:  Patients with HbA1c < 8% spent more time within target range (40.0 vs. 29.5%, p = 0.0001) and less time above their target range (36.9 vs. 51.2%, p = 0.0003). There was no difference in the percentage of glucose levels below target (23.2 vs. 19.4%, p = NS), percentage of severe hypoglycemic episodes (3 vs. 7 episodes per 100 patient-yr, p = NS), or episodes of DKA (1 vs. 3 episodes per 100 patient-yr, p = NS) between the two groups. Subjects with lower HbA1c levels had acquired more home-management competencies (4.0 vs. 3.5, p = 0.01).
Conclusions:  If families are competent in fundamental diabetes management, young children can achieve HbA1c levels < 8.0% without increasing the risk of hypoglycemia.     

The changing presentation of children with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes mellitus

Abstract: Although it is known that the incidence of type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM) in childhood is progressively increasing, it is less clear whether the presentation of newly diagnosed DM is changing. The aim of this study was to establish whether any biochemical or clinical presentation parameters have altered over time.
A retrospective study was performed comparing newly diagnosed children with DM in two 24 month time intervals, 8 yrs apart (1988–89 and 1995–96). Fifty-seven children were diagnosed with type 1 DM in 1988–89 and 70 children in 1995–96. At presentation, children born in the later cohort had a higher pH (p < 0.001) and lower serum glucose (p < 0.05). Although the frequency of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) was higher in the 1988/89 cohort (63% vs. 42% in 1995/96) the absolute number of children with DKA in each time interval was similar (33 subjects in 1988–89 vs. 30 subjects in 1995/96). Islet cell antibody (ICA) levels were very different between the two cohorts; higher antibody levels were found in the 1988/89 group (p < 0.01). DKA was also associated with higher ICA titres (p < 0.05). Hospital admission stay decreased from 6.5 DS to 3.4 DS over the 8-year period (p < 0.0001).
At our institution, the presentation of children with type 1 D M is changing with many more children diagnosed before developing DKA. We speculate that a new environmental factor(s) may be responsible for the absolute increase in patients presenting without DKA, while older etiologies (both genetic and environmental) are responsible for the steady, unchanging number of patients with a more severe presentation. Greater awareness of diabetes in children is not the factor contributing to earlier diagnosis before DKA develops.     

Increased incidence and severity of diabetic ketoacidosis among uninsured children with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes mellitus

OBJECTIVES: (a) To determine the incidence and severity of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and (b) to stratify according to insurance status at the initial diagnosis of type 1 diabetes (T1DM). RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: Subjects included children <18 yr who presented with new-onset T1DM from January 2002 to December 2003 and were subsequently followed at the Barbara Davis Center. Insurance status and initial venous pH were obtained. RESULTS: Overall, 383 subjects presented with new-onset T1DM and 359 (93.7%) were enrolled. Forty-three (12.0%) of these children were uninsured and 40 (11.1%) had Medicaid. One hundred and two (28.4%) subjects presented with DKA. When compared to the insured subjects, uninsured subjects had a significantly increased risk of presenting with DKA [odds ratios (OR): 6.19, 95% CI 3.04-12.60, p < 0.0001], as well as presenting with severe DKA, defined as venous pH <7.10 (OR: 6.09, 95% CI 3.21-11.56, p < 0.0001). There were no differences, however, between the insured and Medicaid subjects in their probability of presenting with DKA or severe DKA. The risk of presenting with DKA (as well as with severe DKA) was the highest among patients <4 yr old. CONCLUSIONS: At the time of initial diagnosis, uninsured patients were more likely to present with DKA than insured patients. Furthermore, when the uninsured subjects presented with DKA, the condition tended to be more severe and life-threatening. A potential explanation is that uninsured subjects may delay seeking timely medical care, thereby presenting more critically ill, whereas insured subjects may have their T1DM diagnosed earlier.     

Delayed diagnosis in type 1 diabetes mellitus

Children with suspected type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) should have same day referral to a paediatric diabetes team. 99 children (54 male; median age 10.5 years, range 0.9-15.9 years) were diagnosed with T1DM at our hospital between January 2004 and June 2007. 27 (27.2%) presented in diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). 37 (37.3%) required hospital admission, while the rest had ambulatory management. In 21 (21.2%) children, diagnosis was delayed >24 h (median 3.0 days, range 1-14 days) due to missed diagnosis at the local hospital (four) or by the general practitioner (seven), arranging a fasting blood glucose test (nine) and outpatient appointment requested via fax (one). Children with delayed diagnosis presented more frequently in DKA (52.3% vs 20.5%, p<0.01), with a higher median presenting HbA1c (12.3% vs 10.9%, p<0.05). There were no differences in age and sex between the delayed diagnosis and immediate referral groups. Healthcare providers need to be aware of the importance of immediate referral of children newly diagnosed with T1DM.     

Ketoacidosis at onset of type 1 diabetes mellitus in children--frequency and clinical presentation

Abstract: Background: Since 1987, patients with newly diagnosed diabetes mellitus type 1 under 15 yr of age have been registered in Baden‐Wuerttemberg (BW), Germany. Aim: Our aim was to describe the frequency and the clinical presentation of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) at onset of type 1 diabetes mellitus in children. Methods: All 31 pediatric departments in BW and one diabetes center participated in this study. Hospital records of 2121 children below 15 yr of age were examined retrospectively. DKA was defined as glucose > 250 mg/dL, pH < 7.30 or bicarbonate < 15 mmol/L and ketonuria. Statistical analysis was done after logarithmic transformation. Results: 26.3% (n = 558) of all patients presented with DKA. The mean age of these patients was 7.9 yr. The frequency of DKA is higher in girls than in boys (28.9 vs. 23.8%; p = 0.0079). Those aged 0–4 yr suffered most frequently (p < 0.0001) from ketoacidosis (36.0%). The percentage of DKA in newly diagnosed cases was constant over 10 yr. 23.3% of all patients with DKA presented with an altered level of consciousness; 10.9% of these had clinical signs of coma. No deaths occurred. The proportion of ketoacidosis does not increase concurrently with the number of diabetes manifestations in winter. Conclusion: The proportion of DKA in children with newly diagnosed diabetes mellitus is significant. In particular, children < 5 yr and girls face an increased risk. DKA may be the result of a particularly aggressive subtype of diabetes.     

Ketoacidosis at presentation of type 1 diabetes in children in Kuwait: frequency and clinical characteristics

Abdul‐Rasoul M, Al‐Mahdi M, Al‐Qattan H, Al‐Tarkait N, Alkhouly M, Al‐Safi R, Al‐Shawaf F, Mahmoud H. Ketoacidosis at presentation of type 1 diabetes in children in Kuwait: frequency and clinical characteristics. Background: Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) has significant morbidity and mortality, and is common at diagnosis in children. Objective: Describe the frequency and severity of DKA at diagnosis of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) in children in Kuwait. Methods: Hospital records of 677 diabetic children less than 12 yr of age, diagnosed during the period of 2000–2006 were reviewed. DKA was defined as blood glucose > 11 mmol/L, pH < 7.3, and/or bicarbonate < 15 mmol/L with ketonuria. Results: Of all patients diagnosed with T1DM, 255 (37.7%) presented with DKA. The frequency of DKA was constant between 2000 and 2002 (42.7–41.5%), but decreased in the following years to 30.7% in 2006 (p < 0.005). The majority had either mild or moderate DKA (74.1%). Fifty‐one (36.7%) of all children in the 0–4 yr had severe DKA compared to ten (2.9%) in the 5‐ to 8‐yr‐old group, and three (1.5%) in 9‐ to 12‐yr‐old patients (p < 0.0001). Moreover, 83% of children with severe DKA were in the 0–4 yr age group. One child (0.15%) died and twenty‐seven (4%) needed intensive care unit (ICU) care. Conclusion: Our study provides recent data on Middle Eastern population, for whom data are sparse. Although it has significantly decreased, the frequency of DKA at presentation of T1DM in children in Kuwait is still high, secondary to the high prevalence of diabetes in the community. Young children, especially those less than 2 yr old remain at high risk. Increasing the general awareness of the public as well as of pediatricians to the disease may lead to early diagnosis before the development of acidosis.     

1型糖尿病伴糖尿病酮症酸中毒患儿发生急性肾损伤的临床研究北大核心CSCD

目的评估1型糖尿病伴糖尿病酮症酸中毒(diabetic ketoacidosis,DKA)患儿发生急性肾损伤(acute kidney injury,AKI)的情况,探讨导致DKA患儿发生AKI的可能潜在因素。方法回顾性将2018年1月1日至2020年12月31日在南京医科大学附属儿童医院就诊的45例1型糖尿病伴DKA患儿,按照入院时是否合并AKI分为无AKI组(n=37)和合并AKI组(n=8)。收集两组患儿社会人口学资料,入院时的体检数据,包括身高、体重、血压和心率等,采用化学发光微粒免疫分析法测定患儿入院及出院时血肌酐和尿素氮等指标水平。采用多因素logistic回归模型分析1型糖尿病伴DKA患儿发生AKI的影响因素。结果45例患儿确诊中位年龄为9.2岁,8例(18%)入院时合并AKI的患儿中,6例为1期AKI,2例为3期AKI。血校正钠水平升高与1型糖尿病伴DKA患儿发生AKI密切相关(P<0.05),而入院时较高的胰岛素水平则不易发生AKI(P<0.05)。结论1型糖尿病伴DKA患儿AKI的发生率较高,临床上应积极纠正DKA,尽快控制血糖,并定期对这部分儿童病例进行肾功能复查和随访。[中国当代儿科杂志,2022,24(8):858-862]     

Frequency of sub-clinical cerebral edema in children with diabetic ketoacidosis

Symptomatic cerebral edema occurs in approximately 1% of children with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). However, asymptomatic or subclinical cerebral edema is thought to occur more frequently. Some small studies have found narrowing of the cerebral ventricles indicating cerebral edema in most or all children with DKA, but other studies have not detected narrowing in ventricle size. In this study, we measured the intercaudate width of the frontal horns of the lateral ventricles using magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in children with DKA during treatment and after recovery from the DKA episode. We determined the frequency of ventricular narrowing and compared clinical and biochemical data for children with and without ventricular narrowing. Forty-one children completed the study protocol. The lateral ventricles were significantly smaller during DKA treatment (mean width, 9.3 +/- 0.3 vs. 10.2 +/- 0.3 mm after recovery from DKA, p < 0.001). Children with ventricular narrowing during DKA treatment (22 children, 54%) were more likely to have mental status abnormalities than those without narrowing [12/22 vs. 4/19 with Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) scores below 15 during therapy, p = 0.03]. Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that a lower initial PCO2 level was significantly associated with ventricular narrowing [odds ratio (OR) = 0.88, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) = 0.78-0.99, p = 0.047). No other variables analyzed were associated with ventricular narrowing in the multivariate analysis. We conclude that narrowing of the lateral ventricles is evident in just over half of children being treated for DKA. Although children with ventricular narrowing did not exhibit neurological abnormalities sufficient for a diagnosis of 'symptomatic cerebral edema', mild mental status abnormalities occurred frequently, suggesting that clinical evidence of cerebral edema in children with DKA may be more common than previously reported.     

Low dose (0.05 units/kg/h) is comparable with standard dose (0.1 units/kg/h) intravenous insulin infusion for the initial treatment of diabetic ketoacidosis in children with type 1 diabetes—an observational study

Puttha R, Cooke D, Subbarayan A, Odeka E, Ariyawansa I, Bone M, Doughty I, Patel L, Amin R. Low dose (0.05 units/kg/h) is comparable with standard dose (0.1 units/kg/h) intravenous insulin infusion for the initial treatment of diabetic ketoacidosis in children with type 1 diabetes—an observational study
Objective: To compare low dose (0.05 units/kg/h) with standard dose (0.1 units/kg/h) intravenous insulin infusion for the treatment of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) in children with type 1 diabetes.
Study design: Data from five paediatric centres were compared in children who received 0.05 (41 episodes) or 0.1 units/kg/h (52 episodes).
Results: In the low vs. standard dose group, at 6 h following admission, the fall in blood glucose levels [11.3 (95% confidence interval 8.6 to 13.9) vs. 11.8 (8.4 to 15.2) mmol/L, p = 0.86] and rise in pH [0.13 (0.09 to 0.18) vs. 0.11 (0.07 to 0.15), p = 0.78] were similar. These changes were comparable between doses in relation to: severity of initial acidosis, children newly diagnosed with diabetes or aged less than 5 years. After adjustment for other clinical and biochemical covariates, insulin dose was unrelated to the change in pH and blood glucose levels at 6 h following admission. Comparisons of safety data, particularly in relation to abnormal Glasgow Coma Score, were inconclusive.
Conclusion: In this observational study, low dose was as effective as standard dose intravenous insulin infusion in the initial treatment (less than 6 h) of DKA in children with type 1 diabetes. A randomised controlled trial is required to show true equivalence between doses and to evaluate potential safety benefits.     

Can parents predict the severity of childhood obstructive sleep apnoea?

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether parents' observations can be used to predict the severity of the obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS) in children. STUDY DESIGN: Sixty-five children with OSAS diagnosed by overnight polysomnography were consecutively recruited and classified as having severe or non-severe OSAS according to the obstructive apnoea index (OAI) and the oxygen saturation measured by pulse oximetry (SpO2) nadir. Parents were asked to complete a questionnaire about the child's breathing difficulties at night. RESULTS: Twenty-eight patients were classified as severe OSAS and 37 as non-severe OSAS. There were no differences between the two groups with respect to age, sex or body mass index. Male to female ratio was 5:1. Parents of children with severe OSAS more frequently reported observed cyanosis (35 vs 8%; p=0.02); obstructive apnoea (60 vs 35%; p = 0.04); snoring extremely loudly (52 vs 22%; p = 0.01); shaking the child (64 vs 35%; p = 0.02); watching the child during sleep and being afraid of apnoea (85 vs 60%; p = 0.03). However, neither any single nor combinations of observations showed high values for both sensitivity and specificity. CONCLUSIONS: Although some parents' observations are more frequently reported in children with severe OSAS, neither any single nor combinations of observations accurately predict the severity of OSAS. Polysomnography is still needed to determine the severity of obstruction.     

Ketoacidosis at presentation of type 1 diabetes mellitus in children: a retrospective 20-year experience from a tertiary care hospital in Serbia

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) has significant morbidity and mortality and is common at diagnosis in children. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency and clinical characteristics of DKA over a 20-year period among children diagnosed with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) at University children's hospital in Belgrade, Serbia. The study population comprised of 720 patients (366 boys) diagnosed with type 1 diabetes aged <18 years between January 1992 and December 2011. Of all patients diagnosed with T1DM, 237 (32.9 %) presented with DKA. The majority had either mild (69.6 %) or moderate (22.8 %) DKA. Sixty (55.0 %) of all children under 5 years had DKA compared to sixty-two (20.9 %) in the 5- to 10-year-old group and one hundred fifteen (36.6 %) in the 11- to 18-year-old patients (p?<?0.01), while 2.5 % of the entire DKA cohort were in real coma. During the later 10-year period, children less often had DKA at diagnosis compared with the earlier 10-year period (28.0 vs. 37.4 %) (p?<?0.01), but the frequency of severe DKA was higher in the age group <5 year and in the age group >11 year during 2002–2011, compared with the earlier 10-year period (12.9 vs. 3.4 %, p?<?0.01 and 17.1 vs. 3.8 %, p?<?0.01). Conclusion: The overall frequency of DKA in children with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes decreased over a 20-year period at our hospital. However, children aged <5 years and adolescents are still at high risk for DKA at diagnosis.     

Difficulties or mistakes in diagnosing type 1 diabetes in children?—demographic factors influencing delayed diagnosis

Background: Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) development in children with new‐onset type 1 diabetes (T1DM) is often the main consequence of delayed diagnosis. The aim of the study was to estimate the frequency of difficulties in T1DM diagnosis and to investigate if and how the demographic factors (gender, patient's age at presentation, family history of T1DM, level of maternal education, place of residence, and health service unit the patient called at) have any influence on diagnostic delays. Subjects and methods: Retrospective analysis of 474 children (243 boys—51.27% and 231 girls ?48.73%) with new‐onset T1DM aged below 17 yr and living in the Pomeranian region of Poland was carried out. The delay in diagnosis was recognized if the patient was not diagnosed on the first visit because of omission, wrong interpretation of main diabetic symptoms, exclusive treatment of additional signs, or concomitant diseases. Results: Difficulties in diagnosing T1DM were found in 67 cases (14.13%) and they are the main cause of DKA development in these children (p = 0.00). Among the examined demographic factors, mainly the patient's age at presentation has a significant influence on diagnostic delays (p = 0.01), especially in children below 2 yr (p = 0.00). Most frequently family doctors were responsible for wrong preliminary diagnosis. Conclusions: Difficulties in diagnosing T1DM are a significant cause of DKA development in children with new‐onset disease. Patient's age at presentation is the main risk factor of delayed diagnosis, especially in children below 2 yr. The increase in awareness among pediatricians concerning the possibility of T1DM development in children is needed.     

Incidence of hypo- and hypercarbia in severe traumatic brain injury before and after 2003 pediatric guidelines.

OBJECTIVE: To examine the incidence of severe hypocarbia (PaCO2 <30 mm Hg) in patients with severe pediatric traumatic brain injury before and after publication of the 2003 pediatric guidelines (PG). DESIGN: Retrospective cohort analysis. SETTING: Harborview Medical Center, Seattle, Washington (January 1, 1995, to December 31, 2005). PATIENTS: Children <15 yrs of age with severe pediatric traumatic brain injury. INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: The pre-PG group (before August 1, 2003) included 375 patients and the post-PG group included 89 patients. Post PG guidelines, there was a trend toward earlier (45 vs. 32 mins; p = .05) and more frequent (7.1 vs. 8.4 samples; p = .06) PaCO2 sampling within 48 hrs of admission. Children 0-2 yrs had a longer time (75.0 mins) between admission and first PaCO2 sample than older children (44.3 mins; p < .01). The youngest children also had the highest incidence of severe hypocarbia on the first PaCO2 sample (31% vs. 19%; p = .02). Incidence of severe hypocarbia was high and did not decline (60% vs. 52%; p = .2) after the PG guidelines. However, over the 11 yrs, the odds of severe hypocarbia decreased (adjusted odds ratio 0.9; 95% confidence interval 0.84-0.96). During both periods, the incidence of severe hypocarbia was highest during the first 2 hrs after hospital admission. Intracranial pressure monitors were used more frequently post-PG. In 62 of 82 (77%) patients with severe hypocarbia in whom an intracranial pressure monitor was in place, the preceding intracranial pressure was <20 mm Hg. Severe hypocarbia independently predicted inpatient mortality (adjusted odds ratio 2.8; 95% confidence interval 1.3-5.9). CONCLUSIONS: Although PaCO2 sampling was more frequent during the post-PG period and severe hypocarbia decreased during successive study years, the incidence of severe hypocarbia remained high during the first 48 hrs after hospital admission during the post-PG period. Time to PaCO2 sampling was longer in young children and associated with more severe hypocarbia. The presence of severe hypocarbia predicted mortality.     

Diabetic ketoacidosis at presentation of type 1 diabetes in children in Canada during the COVID-19 pandemic

Type 1 diabetes is a common chronic illness in childhood. Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in children with type 1 diabetes. Early recognition of symptoms of diabetes and immediate initiation of treatment are important factors in preventing DKA at first presentation. We describe the numbers of children presenting with DKA at initial diagnosis across eight Canadian paediatric centres during the COVID-19 pandemic (March 15, 2020 to July 31, 2020) and compare this to the same time period in 2019. Comparing the pre-COVID to the COVID-19 time period, presentation in DKA increased from 36.4% to 55.0% (P<0.0001) and presentation in severe DKA from 37.0% to 48.3% (P=0.044). These findings are concerning and emphasize the importance of awareness of the signs and symptoms of diabetes. In addition, these findings raise concern about access to appropriate and timely care during the COVID-19 pandemic.     

Polyunsaturated fatty acids in plasma lipids of diabetic children during and after diabetic ketoacidosis

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Previously we reported significantly higher plasma values of the essential fatty acids but significantly lower values of their longer-chain metabolites in diabetic children than in healthy controls. Here, we report data on the acute effect of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) on the fatty acid composition of plasma lipids. METHODS: Diabetic children (n=9; age: 16.1 [3.3] y; duration of diabetes: 5.0 [5.3.] y; daily insulin dose: 0.87 [0.66] unit/kg body weight/d; glycated haemoglobin: 13.4 [2.8] %; median [IQR]) were investigated at admission for DKA (during DKA) and at the end of the treatment of DKA (after DKA). Fatty acid composition of plasma lipid classes was determined by high-resolution capillary gas-liquid chromatography. RESULTS: Blood glucose (27.0 [8.5] vs 6.5 [1.6] mmol/l), pH (7.28 [0.35] vs 7.36 [0.06]) and base excess (-8.9 [15.1] vs -2.2 [6.3] mmol/l) were grossly abnormal during but not after DKA. Values of linoleic acid were significantly lower after than during DKA (non-esterifed fatty acids (NEFA): 15.55 [1.47] vs 12.27 [5.74] % wt/wt; triacylglycerols (TG): 20.84 [9.23] vs 17.40 [5.78]; p<0.05). In contrast, values of gamma-linolenic acid (NEFA: 0.87 [0.54] vs 2.34 [1.85]; p<0.05) and arachidonic acid (TG: 1.37 [0.71] vs 1.74 [0.57]; p<0.05) were significantly lower during than after DKA. The product/substrate ratios for delta-6 desaturation were significantly lower during than after DKA. CONCLUSION: Successful treatment of diabetic ketoacidosis is associated with a significant increase of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid values in blood plasma in diabetic children. This observation suggests that disturbances of essential fatty acid metabolism in diabetic children are related not only to diet but to hypoinsulinaemia as well.     

Conscious level in children with diabetic ketoacidosis is related to severity of acidosis and not to blood glucose concentration

OBJECTIVE: To ascertain whether initial depression of conscious level in children with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is related to hyperosmolality, acidosis or other factors. METHODS: In 225 episodes of DKA without evidence of cerebral edema, we examined the relationship between conscious level and initial biochemical variables. We contrasted these findings with those in 42 children who later developed cerebral oedema. RESULTS: On admission, 42/225 (19%) had mild (pH 7.26-7.35); 96 (44%) moderate (pH 7.11-7.25); and 80 (37%) severe DKA (pH 相似文献   

Air pollution and type 1 diabetes in children

BACKGROUND: Over the past decade, there has been a worldwide largely unexplained increase in the incidence of type 1 diabetes in young children. This study explores the quantitative role of exposure to specific air pollutants in the development of type 1 diabetes in children. METHODS: A total of 402 children were retrospectively studied. Zip code-related, time-specific birth-to-diagnosis exposure to five ambient air pollutants was obtained for 102 children with type 1 diabetes and 300 healthy children receiving care at a single hospital. Pollution exposure levels were created by summing up zip code-specific pollution data and dividing by months of exposure from birth to diagnosis. Analysis employed chi2, two-tailed independent sample t-test and unconditional logistic regression. RESULTS: Odds ratio (OR) was significantly high for cumulative exposure to ambient ozone (O3) and sulfate (SO4) in cases compared with controls, OR = 2.89 [95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.80-4.62] and OR = 1.65 (CI = 1.20-2.28), respectively, even after adjustment for several potential confounders. Passive smoking was more frequent in children with diabetes (30 vs. 10%, p = 0.001). Attending day care and breast feeding in infancy were less frequent in children with diabetes (14 vs. 23%, p = 0.025; 59 vs. 78%, p = 0.001). Family history of diabetes, autoimmune disease and drug abuse was more frequent in cases (p < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Cumulative exposure to ozone and sulfate in ambient air may predispose to the development of type 1 diabetes in children. Early infant formula feeding and passive smoking in the household may precipitate or accelerate the onset of type 1 diabetes.     

Multinational study in children and adolescents with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes: association of age,ketoacidosis, HLA status,and autoantibodies on residual beta‐cell function and glycemic control 12 months after diagnosis

HB Mortensen, PGF Swift, RW Holl, P Hougaard, L Hansen, H Bjoerndalen, CE de Beaufort, M Knip. Multinational study in children and adolescents with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes: association of age, ketoacidosis, HLA status, and autoantibodies on residual beta‐cell function and glycemic control 12 months after diagnosis. Objective: To identify predictors of residual beta‐cell function and glycemic control during the first 12 months after the diagnosis of type 1 diabetes (T1D). Subjects and Methods: Clinical information and blood samples were collected from 275 children. HbA1c, antibodies, HLA typing and mixed meal‐stimulated C‐peptide levels 1, 6, and 12 months after diagnosis were analyzed centrally. Results: Mean age at diagnosis was 9.1 yr. DKA with standard bicarbonate <15 mmol/L was associated with significantly poorer residual beta‐cell function 1 (p = 0.004) and 12 months (p = 0.0003) after diagnosis. At 12 months, the decline in stimulated C‐peptide levels compared with the levels at 1 month was 69% in the youngest age group and 50% in patients 10 yr and above (p < 0.001). Stimulated C‐peptide at 12 months was predicted by younger age (p < 0.02) and bicarbonate levels at diagnosis (p = 0.005), and by stimulated C‐peptide (p < 0.0001), postmeal blood glucose (p = 0.0004), insulin antibodies (IA; p = 0.02) and glutamic acid decarboxylase antibodies (GADA; p = 0.0004) at 1 month. HbA1c at 12 months was predicted by HbA1c at diagnosis (p < 0.0001), GADA at 1 month (p = 0.01), and non‐white Caucasian ethnicity (p = 0.002). Conclusions: Younger age, ketoacidosis at diagnosis, and IA and GADA 1 month after diagnosis were the strongest explanatory factors for residual beta‐cell function at 12 months. Glycemic control at 12 months was influenced predominantly by ethnicity, HbA1c at diagnosis, and GADA at 1 month.     

Childhood obesity increases duration of therapy during severe asthma exacerbations.

OBJECTIVES: Childhood obesity contributes to a wide array of medical conditions, including asthma. There is also increasing evidence in adult patients admitted to the intensive care unit (ICU) that obesity contributes to increased morbidity and to a prolonged length of stay. We hypothesized that obesity is associated with the need for increased duration of therapy in children admitted to the ICU with status asthmaticus. DESIGN: Retrospective cohort study. SETTING: A tertiary pediatric ICU in a university-affiliated children's hospital. PATIENTS: We retrospectively examined data from all children older than 2 yrs admitted to the ICU with status asthmaticus between April 1997 and June 2004. Children were classified as normal weight (<95% weight-for-age percentile) or obese (>95% weight-for-age). INTERVENTIONS: None. MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS: Of the 209 children admitted to the ICU with asthma, 45 (22%) were obese. Compared with children of normal weight, the obese children were older (9.7 +/- 4.4 vs. 8.0 +/- 4.3 yrs, p = .02), more likely to be female (60% vs. 37%, p < .01), and more likely to have been admitted to the ICU previously (40% vs. 20%, p = .01). The obese children also had a statistically significant difference in race (more likely to be Hispanic) and in baseline asthma classification (more likely to have persistent asthma). Despite similar severity of illness at ICU admission, obese children had a significantly longer ICU length of stay (116 +/- 125 hrs vs. 69 +/- 57 hrs, p = .02) and hospital length of stay (9.8 +/- 7.0 vs. 6.5 +/- 3.4 days, p < .01). Obese children also received longer courses of supplemental oxygen, continuous albuterol, and intravenous steroids. CONCLUSIONS: Childhood obesity significantly affects the health of children with asthma. Obese children with status asthmaticus recovered more slowly from an acute exacerbation, even after adjustment for baseline asthma severity and admission severity of illness.     

Prevalence and characteristics of type 2 diabetes mellitus in 9-18 year-old children with diabetic ketoacidosis

OBJECTIVE: To estimate the prevalence of type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM2) in 9-18 year-old children with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and to describe the presenting biochemical characteristics and response to standardized DKA treatment. METHODS: Data were collected from a consecutive sample of 9-18 year-old children presenting with DKA. DKA was defined as hyperglycemia and ketosis with an initial pH <7.3, or bicarbonate <15 mmol/l. Patients were classified as having DM2 if they had negative autoantibody status and normal or elevated fasting C-peptide. RESULTS: The prevalence of DM2 in patients with DKA was 13.0% (6.1-23.3%). There was no significant difference in the presenting pH (7.14 vs 7.15), but blood glucose was higher (735 vs 587 mg/dl) in patients with DM2, than in patients with type 1 DM (DM1). The duration of insulin infusion until resolution of acidosis (17.3 vs 13.2 h) and intensive care unit stay (2.4 vs 1.6 days) were longer in patients with DM2. Seven of the nine patients with DM2 did not require insulin at 1-year follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Children with DM2 can present with DKA and constitute a significant percentage in the above 9-year age group. The need for insulin must be carefully re-evaluated as DKA resolves in these patients. Adolescents with DM2 and their families need to be educated about DKA.