HAEMOGLOBIN Atc: A PREDICTOR FOR THE DURATION OF THE REMISSION PHASE IN JUVENILE INSULIN-DEPENDENT DIABETIC PATIENTS

Abstract. Vetter, U., Heinze, E., Beischer, W., Kohne, E., Kleihauer, E. and Teller, W. M. (Centers of Paediatrics and Internal Medicine, University of Ulm, FRG). Haemoglobin A_1c: a predictor for the duration of the remission phase in juvenile insulin dependent diabetic patients. Acta Paediatr Scand, 69:481, 1980.—Increased HbA_1cconcentrations in diabetic patients indicate retrospectively a poor metabolic control during the preceding 2–3 months. In the present study attempts have been made to use the HbA_1c concentration at the time of diagnosis as an indicator of the duration of the remission phase in 23 juvenile diabetic children. The regression analysis revealed a significant negative correlation between the initial HbA_1c concentrations and the duration of the remission phase defined as no glucose excretion, an insulin requirement of less than 0.5 U/kg/day and detectable serum C-peptide concentration ( r = -0.84, p < 0.001). The results suggest that the initial HbA_1c concentration may serve as a useful indicator to predict the duration of the remission phase in juvenile-onset diabetic patients