Evaluation of hypoglycemia in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus

Abstract

Introduction Hypoglycemia is the most common acute metabolic complication in type 1 diabetes [1]. For the child with type 1 diabetes, hypoglycemia can have a range of adverse consequences including unpleasant or embarrassing and potentially dangerous symptoms, impaired concentration, and behavioral disturbances. Diabetes education is critical to preventing hypoglycemia [2]. Aim Evaluate frequency and management of hypoglycemia in children and adolescents. Objectives 1. Evaluate manifestation of hypoglycemia related with age and disease duration. 2. Evaluate diabetes education and self-control with relation to hypoglycemia events. 3. Evaluate relationship between glycemic control and frequency of hypoglycemia and severe hypoglycemia. Methods Data was generated using the “Genetic Diabetes in Lithuania“ project, which is being conducted by the Endocrinology clinic located at the Lithuanian University of Health Sciences hospital Kaunas clinics. It started in November 2012 and will continue until April 2016. A questionnaire was given to all participants where they were required to detail their experiences with hypoglycemia and diabetes control, such as: how often they experienced episodes of hypoglycemia and severe hypoglycemia (5), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels with categories obtained from the International Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Diabetes (ISPAD) 2014: n≤6.5 (ideal), 6.57.5 (poor). Intravenous blood samples were taken and HbA1c levels were measured by a “Siemens DCA - Vantage analyzer“. Statistical analysis of the data was completed with SPSS v22 software using chi squared tests to determine if statistical significance exists between parameters. The results were only considered statistically significant when p < 0.05. Results Among the participants, the average age was 11.95 ± 4.11 and the percentage by age groups were as follows: 0-4 years (5.4%), 5-9 years (21.8%), 10-14 years (37.5[...].