Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus And Its Complications In Children Aged ≤20 Years From Punjab, Pakistan

Background — Type 1 diabetes mellitus causes serious disease complication in children. Objectives- The main objective of this study was to assess the frequency and severity of diabetic complication in children ≤ 20 years of age from Punjab, Pakistan. Methods — The data of diabetic patients and their blood samples were collected from the diabetic registries at three districts of Punjab, Pakistan. Fasting plasma glucose, random plasma glucose, HbA1c, and GAD-65 autoantibodies were measured in sampled blood serum. The data on other clinical symptoms at the onset of disease were recorded as well. Results — Out of 310 patients, 54.2% were male, and their mean age at the onset of disease was 13.22 years. Among all patients, according to clinical indicators, high severity of the disease and serious complications were revealed. Conclusions — The diabetic complications were severe in all patients from three districts of Punjab, Pakistan, at and below the age of 20 years.