All issues > Volume 51(6); 2008

Review Article

Korean J Pediatr. 2008;51(6):569-575. Published online June 15, 2008.

Epidemiologic characteristics of type 1 diabetes in children aged 14 years or under in Korea, 1985-2000

Choong Ho CH Shin¹

¹Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, Seoul National University, Seoul, Korea

Correspondence Choong Ho CH Shin ,Email: chshinpd@snu.ac.kr

Abstract

Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) develops in genetically susceptible individuals as a result of progressive autoimmune destruction of beta cells. There is a large global variation in incidence among children aged 0-14 years. The incidence of T1DM in Korea is very low. The latest survey in Korea was conducted in 2001 by the Korean Society of Pediatrics to analyze childhood (0-14 years) nation-wide incidence during 1995-2000. The average childhood incidence (/100,000-year) was 1.36 (95% CI, 1.23-1.48), higher than 1.06 in Korea in 1994. This survey reported that higher mean annual incidence was observed in females (girls, 1.67 vs. boys 1.07), older age groups (10-14 years, 1.98; 5-9 years, 1.43; 0-4 years, 0.73), Kangwon-do (2.09) and Seoul (1.99), and also that more new cases developed in the spring (spring, 27.1%; winter, 26.6%, summer, 24.8%, autumn, 21.5%). The increase in childhood T1DM incidence has occurred in every region (4.0% in Asia, 3.2% in Europe during 1990-1999). Also, a steady increase in incidence was observed during 1985-2000 in Korea. These trends may be maintained or accelerated by environmental factors, known as triggers, modifiers, and promoters of T1DM occurrence. The rising incidence of T1DM suggests the need for continuous monitoring of incidence using standardized methods to plan or assess preventative strategies.

Keywords :Metabolic syndrome, Obesity, Children, Adolescents, Korean