Neurobehavioral aspects in children with insulin dependent diabetes mellitus

Abstract EN

Background: Type 1 diabetes is associated with cognitive deficits in children and adults, especially those diagnosed at earlier ages, those with lower socioeconomic status, and boys.

Children with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) have been shown to have mild to moderate intellectual and neuropsychological difficulties relative to children without diabetes.

Aims: This study was designed to assess neurobehavioral aspects among Children with Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (6-15 years).

Methods: Forty diabetic children were recruited from the intermediate care unit of pediatric department, Assuit University hospital, Assuit, Egypt.

Those patients were selected from 64 diabetic children according to inclusion Criteria.

Another 40 children of matchable age, social state, number of education years and body mass index matched with the patients were chosen as a control group.

Each participating subject was subjected to assessment of clinical, laboratory, cognitive functions (using Stanford Binet (4th edition).

Event Related Potential and standardized scales for Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorders.

Results: Overt neurological manifestations were observed in two (5%) Diabetic children and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorders were observed in 4 (10%).

Diabetic children reported significant impairment across cognitive functions compared with the control group.

They reported significant impairment in Event Related potential.

Neurobehavioral abnormalities were accompanied with more deterioration in cognitive functions and Event Related Potentials.

The frequency of diabetic ketoacidosis, duration of hypoglycemia and family history of diabetes mellitus showed significant negative correlation in some studied cognitive functions and Event Related Potential subscales Conclusion: Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus in children leads to neurobehavioral abnormalities, impairment in cognitive functions and delay in Event Related Potential.