[The incidence and initial symptoms of diabetes mellitus type 1 in 0-14-year-olds in the Netherlands, 1996-1999].

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:

To determine the incidence and characteristics of type-1 diabetes mellitus (DM) in children aged 0-14 years during the period 1996-1999 and to compare this with previous measurements of the incidence.

DESIGN:

Descriptive.

METHOD:

Data were collected via reports from all practicing paediatricians to the Dutch Paediatric Surveillance Unit and a questionnaire among members of the Dutch Diabetes Association. The incidence was calculated by the capture-recapture method, and the characteristics and symptoms of the children were determined from the questionnaires.

RESULTS:

The incidence of DM type 1 among 0-14-year-olds increased to 18.6/100,000/year (95% CI: 17.7-19.4) compared to 11.1/100,000/year (10.5-11.7) in 1978-1980. The increase was highest in the youngest age group, 0-4 years. DM type 1 was diagnosed at an average age of 7.6 years (7.4-7.9) and in 1988-1990 at 9.2 years (9.0-9.5). The boy-girl ratio also increased. Children with a mother from Surinam, Turkey or The Netherlands Antilles had lower risk of DM type 1 while a higher risk was calculated for children from Moroccan and Somali mothers. In comparison with 1993-1994, there were less frequent lethargy or dehydration; lower average serum-glucose values, a better blood pH and less frequent ketonuria at the time of diagnosis. Treatment on an outpatient basis had increased. However, over the time span 1993-1999, Moroccan children (n = 108) showed dehydration, ketonuria and low blood-pH values more frequently than children of Dutch parents (n = 1825) and their hospital admission lasted longer.

CONCLUSION:

The incidence of DM type 1 had increased and the disease manifested itself at a younger age. The clinical condition at time of diagnosis, however, was better. The incidence and clinical characteristics differed between children of different ethnic origin.

• Authors: J P van Wouwe, G F Mattiazzo, N el Mokadem, H M Reeser, R A Hirasing
• Journal: Nederlands tijdschrift voor geneeskunde (Ned Tijdschr Geneeskd) Vol. 148 Issue 37 Pg. 1824-9 (Sep 11 2004) ISSN: 0028-2162 [Print] Netherlands
• Vernacular Title: De incidentie en de eerste symptomen van diabetes mellitus type 1 bij 0-14-jarigen in Nederland, 1996-1999.
• PMID: 15495512 (Publication Type: English Abstract, Journal Article)

Topics

• Adolescent
• Age Factors
• Child
• Child, Preschool
• Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 (diagnosis, epidemiology, ethnology)
• Female
• Humans
• Incidence
• Infant
• Infant, Newborn
• Male
• Morocco (ethnology)
• Netherlands (epidemiology)
• Netherlands Antilles (ethnology)
• Risk Factors
• Sex Factors
• Somalia (ethnology)
• Suriname (ethnology)
• Surveys and Questionnaires
• Turkey (ethnology)