Epidemiology of Diabetes Mellitus in School-Aged Children in Qena Governorate

Background: Previously called juvenile diabetes, this autoimmune illness causes the pancreas' islets of Langerhans to generate little or no insulin. Frequent urination, thirst, hunger, and weight loss are symptoms. DM has many causes.
Objectives: To assesses demographic characteristics of type 1 diabetes mellitus in children aged 6-12 years in Qena governorate.
Patients and methods: This is an analytical observation cross-sectional study conducted at the Outpatient Pediatric Clinic, Pediatric Department of Qena University Hospital, and General Hospital in Qena on 100 children. Assessment of these children was done using a written questionnaire based on WHO criteria for the diagnosis of DM.
Results: The mean age of studied patients was 8.72± 1.67 years, there were 63 males (63%) and 37 females (37%), there were 19 patients (19%) of white race and 81 patients (81%) of black race. there were 54 patients (54%) from rural areas and 46 patients (46%) from urban areas. As regard SES, there were 77 patients (77%) of low SES and 23 patients (23%) of moderate SES in the studied patients. There were 17 patients (17%) of positive consanguinity and 6 patients (60%) of positive family history in the studied patients. The mean BMI of studied patients was 17.1 ± 2.2 (median = 16.5).. As regard comorbidities, there were 3 patients (3%) had bronchial asthma, 2 patients (2%) had Celiac disease and 1 patient (1%) had epilepsy in the studied patients. There were 3 patients (3%) on steroid inhaler in the studied patients. There was history of acute complications in 59 patients (59%), history of repeated infection in 65 patients (65%) and hospital admission in 59 patients (59%). 17 patients (28.8%) were admitted once, 22 patients (37.3%) were admitted twice and 20 patients (33.9%) were admitted 3 times. There were 26 patients (44.1%) admitted due to DKA, 23 patients (39 %) admitted due to hyperglycemia and 10 patients (16.9%) admitted due to hypoglycemia.
Conclusion: The mean age of studied patients was 8.72± 1.67 years, with predominance of  males (63%).   54% from rural areas. Acute complications were occurred in 59% of patients.