Microalbuminuria in Children with Type 1 Diabetes and Its Relationship with Body Mass Index, Hemoglobin A1c, and Age at Diabetes Onset

Background: Children with type 1 diabetes are at risk of developing microvascular and macrovascular complications, with diabetic nephropathy (DN) being a significant microvascular complication. Microalbuminuria is a crucial diagnostic marker for the early detection of DN and can predict the risk of vascular complications. Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between microalbuminuria and body mass index (BMI), changes in hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c), and the age of disease onset in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes. Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Mofid and Imam Hossein hospitals in Tehran, Iran, within 2021 - 2022. This study included 120 children and adolescents aged 5 - 20 years who had been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes for at least 3 years. All patients underwent evaluation for microalbuminuria, and its association with BMI, HbA1c levels, and the age of diabetes onset was assessed. Results: Among the 120 patients, 51% were female. Microalbuminuria was present in 15% of patients; however, 13.3% were overweight or obese. Furthermore, 91% of patients had HbA1c levels above 7%. The mean age of diabetes onset was 13 years, and the mean disease duration was 5.5 years. The study revealed a significant association between microalbuminuria and HbA1c levels, BMI, and the age of diabetes onset (P-values < 0.05). Conclusions: Microalbuminuria showed a positive correlation with increased BMI and poorer glycemic control. An early age of diabetes onset was identified as a risk factor for microalbuminuria in children and adolescents with diabetes.