DIABETIC-RETINOPATHY IN CHILDHOOD AND ADOLESCENCE - EFFECT OF PUBERTY

The aim of this study was to evaluate the role of metabolic control an d duration of disease on the retinopathy prevalence in pre-pubertal an d pubertal children. We enrolled 246 children and adolescents affected with Type I diabetes, Retinopathy grade was determined by colour reti nography. A stratification was made in relation to duration of disease and metabolic control and the percentage of retinopathy in each risk group was determined, in the studied population, we found that 17% of patients had retinopathy at different degrees. The presence of risk fa ctors (HbA(1c) > 9% and duration of disease > 6 years) was related to a high percentage of retinopathy (p = 0.007). Pre-pubertal duration of disease was statistically longer in patients with retinopathy than in those without retinopathy (p = 0.005). Our conclusions are that the q uality of metabolic control and the duration of disease are the main r isk factors for the development of diabetic retinopathy in paediatric age, Retinopathy was found in high percentage in subjects with a longe r duration of disease in pre-pubertal age. Our data suggest that the S ears of diabetes before puberty are important in determining retinopat hy status during adolescence. (C) 1997, Editrice Kurtis.