Hospital prevalence of diabetes mellitus among under 15 children in Butembo: A retrospective study at the University Clinics of Graben

Introduction

Mellitus diabetes is an endocrine trouble characterized by chronic high glycemia caused by a relative or absolute insulin deficiency. It is a public health problem because of its frequency associated with high morbi-mortality. The objective of this research was to determine the frequency of mellitus diabetes in under 15-year-old patients in Butembo Town.

Method

it was a cross-sectional descriptive study realized at the University Clinics of Graben from January 1st, 2017 to December 31st, 2021.

Results

Between 2017 and 2021, 3,681 children and adolescents were hospitalized at the University Clinics of the Graben Pediatrics Department. Out of them, 49 were diagnosed with mellitus diabetes, which indicates a prevalence of 1.331 %. The majority of patients were males, with high frequencies observed between the ages of 2 to 12 years. Common complaints included coma, polyurea-polydipsia, vision troubles, fever, weight loss, and growth retardation. Complications in infants and adolescents with diabetes included retinopathies, neuropathies, coma, infection, and ketoacidosis. The patients were admitted with extreme glycemia, with many suffering from hypoglycemia. Forty-three out of the 49 patients received insulin, and five of them died.

Conclusion

Mellitus diabetes in young remains a health problem in Butembo. Effective healthcare must include medical professionals, the population, and the state.