All issues > Volume 38(8); 1995

Original Article

J Korean Pediatr Soc. 1995;38(8):1116-1123. Published online August 15, 1995.

Characteristics of Childhood Diabetes

Mi Jung MJ Park², Wook W Chang², Hyun Chul HC Lee², Duk Hi DH Kim², Ho Seoung HS Kim¹

¹Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Ewha University, Seoul, Korea
²Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea

Abstract

Purpose
: Because of weternized life style, environmental air pollution and infection, the incidence of childhood diabetes is increasing daily. This study was attempted to evaluate charateristics of childhood diabetes.
Methods
: We evaluated 117 patients diagnosed with Diabetes at Yonsei and Ewha University College of medicine from 1985 to 1994.
Results
: 1) The majority of patients were diagnosed as IDDM(86%). Peak incidence occurred at 10-12yr of age. 2) Retrospective study of the patients' feeding status in infancy showed as follows. Cow's milk feeding was 23%, breast feeding was 42%, mixed feeding was 35%. Outbreaks occurred more frequently in winter months. 3) The frequency of HLA-DR3, DR4, DR3/4, DQα*0301, Dqβ1*0201, 0303 was significantly increased in IDDM patients than normal controls. 4) In newly diagnosed IDDM patients, the prevalence of ICA, ICSA and IAA were 46%, 25% and 49%. 5) After initial symptoms, 42.7% were diagnosed within 4 weeks. Polydipsia and polyuria was the most frequent sumptom and initial presentation with DKA was 10%. 6) At initial diagnosis C-peptide concentrations were 0.84±0.6ng/ml. The levels decreased to 0.62±0.25ng/ml during 1 year, 0.52±0.18ng/ml during 1~3 years, 0.41±0.15ng/ml during 3~5 years, 0.40±0.15ng after 5 years.
Conclusion
: Most of childhood diabetes were IDDM in Korea. The susceptible genotypes of HLA class II antigen in Korean diabetes were similar to Caucasians. Howerer, the incidence of DKA was lower and severity of clinical manefestations were milder compared to that of Caucacians. In order to investigate the characteristics of Korean childhood diabetes, nationwide prospective study will be needed.

Keywords :Diabetes, Childhood