Asymptomatic Nocturnal Hypoglycemia in children and adolescents with Type I Diabetes mellitus

Abstract

AbstractBackground:Asymptomatic nocturnal hypoglycemia (ASNH) is worrying especially in young children because of concern that it may impair brain development and neuropsychological function.Objective:To find out the occurrance and characteristics of ASNH in children and adolescents with type I Diabetes mellitus.Patients & Methods:A serial of capillary blood glucose measurements of (50) diabetic children were done at times 23.00 pm 3.00 am and 7.00 am , they were chosen randomly from the diabetic clinic of the Central Teaching Hospital for Pediatrics. Results:The ASNH detected in 20% of diabetic children, their mean level of blood glucose was 2.7 m.mol/ L at 3.00 am. In comparing the characteristics of those with and without ASNH (group I , II) respectively. the mean age was older in group I than II, The male to female ratio was significantly higher in group I than II , the duration of the disease was longer in group I than II , the history of recent antecedent and severe attacks of hypoglycemia were significantly more in group I than II.No difference in the need of the dose of insulin in group I & II and those on triple injections of insulin had significantly lower ASNH.Conclusion: ASNH constitutes a problem in our diabetic children. those on triple injections of insulin had significantly lower ASNH.Key words: Diabetes mellitus Type1Nocturnal Hypoglycemia, hypoglycemia unawareness.