Frequency of Microalbuminuria in Type 1 Diabetic Children

Objective: Diabetic nephropathy is a serious complication of type 1 diabetes which involves one third of the patients. The aim of this study was to estimate the frequency of microalbuminuria in type 1 diabetic patients visited in Pediatric Endocrine Clinic in Hamedan, west province of Iran, in 2007.
Methods: Diabetic patients visited in Pediatric Diabetes Clinic were enrolled in the study. Variable data such as age, sex, duration of the disease, stage of puberty, dose of insulin/kg/day, and blood pressure of the patients were obtained according to history and physical examination. 24h urine samples were collected for protein, creatinine, and microalbumin. Data analysis was assessed using independent t-test and chi-square test.
Findings: One-hundred five patients (56 females and 49 males) with a mean age of 13.3±5.5 years, were evaluated. Fifteen (14.3%) cases had microalbuminuria. Mean age in microalbuminuric group was 16.2±2.8, and in non-microalbuminuric group was 12.7±5.6 years (P=0.024). Mean duration of diabetes was 9.1±3.2 yr in microalbuminuric and 4.5± 3.9 in non-microalbuminuric group. There was a significant correlation between duration of diabetes and microalbuminuria (P<0.001). Blood pressure was normal in 95.5% of the patients while in patients with microalbuminuria 73.3% had hypertension (P<0.001). Frequency of microalbuminuria was higher in patients taking lower doses of insulin corrected to their body weight (P=0.008).
Conclusion: Frequency of microalbuminuria was significant, so regular screening is highly recommended for early detection and timely treatment of diabetic nephropathy in order to prevent progression to end stage renal disease.

Keywords
Diabetes type 1; Frequency; Microalbuminuria; Diabetic nephropathy; Children