NERVE CONDUCTION STUDY IN CHILDREN WITH INSULIN DEPENDENT DIABETES MELLITUS.

Corresponding Author:
Dr. Sahila M,
Professor,
Department of Physiology,
Government Medical College,
Trivandrum, Kerala, India.
E-mail: drsahilagofour@yahoo.com

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND

Type 1 diabetes is one of the most common childhood endocrine diseases that affects nearly five lakh children below the age group of fifteen years. Diabetic neuropathy (DN) consists of a large spectrum of abnormalities affecting both peripheral and autonomic nerve function. Electrophysiological studies (NCS and EMG) are powerful tools for assessing neuropathy. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of peripheral neuropathy (symptomatic and asymptomatic) in children suffering from Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (IDDM) by means of an electrophysiological method.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

The present study is a hospital based cross sectional study done on 48 type 1 diabetes patients who attended the Paediatric Endocrinology clinic at the SAT Hospital, Thiruvananthapuram.

RESULTS

1. The prevalence of peripheral neuropathy, by means of an electrophysiological method, in 48 children suffering from type 1 DM with a mean duration of illness 3.9 yrs. and a mean HbA1c of 9.8 % was found to be 37.5 %.

2. A clinical neuropathy with symptoms and signs was found in only 12.5% of the patients.

3. Lower limb nerves were found to be involved more frequently than upper limb nerves.

4. Sensory nerves were affected more frequently than motor nerves.

CONCLUSION

Electrophysiological studies should be done in all children with type 1 diabetes mellitus irrespective of their symptoms and signs of clinical neuropathy.

KEY WORDS

Type 1 Diabetes, Nerve Conduction Studies, Diabetic Neuropathy.