EARLY-ONSET OF DIABETIC NEPHROPATHY

A 12 year old Asian girl with a four year history of poorly controlled insulin dependent diabetes mellitus developed overt diabetic nephropa thy. There were no clinical features of Rabson-Mendenhall syndrome. Sc reening for microalbuminuria would have identified incipient diabetic nephropathy and highlighted the importance of good glycaemic control. Although screening for microalbuminuria is recommended after five year s from diagnosis, it may be appropriate to undertake this annually in those with poor glycaemic control.