NOCTURNAL HYPOGLYCEMIA IN IDDM PATIENTS YOUNGER THAN 18 YEARS

The present multicentre study was undertaken to assess the prevalence of nocturnal hypoglycaemia and its determining factors in 117 diabetic children and adolescents, aged 2-18 years and diabetes duration >1 ye ar in Spain. Each child made 3 measurements of blood glucose (BG) at h ome at night (between 0000 h and 0600 h) on nine separate nights. A hy poglycaemic event occurred in 12-14 % of children in any one night. Th is is lower than rates for nocturnal hypoglycaemia reported in literat ure, perhaps because of relatively late mealtimes and different meal c ontent, in Spanish children. Children aged <7 years were at higher ris k of nocturnal hypoglycaemia than older children (p < 0.05). Mean HbA( 1c) from the year before the study and mean HbA(1c) measured during th e closest time to the study were significantly lower in those with noc turnal hypoglycaemia (p < 0.0001), Blood glucose concentrations 2 h be fore hypoglycaemia did not predict nocturnal hypoglycaemia. The occurr ence of low or very low blood glucose concentrations before breakfast was related to a higher risk for nocturnal hypoglycaemia (chi(2) 22.97 ; p < 0.001). No previous symptoms were detectable in 89 % of cases. ( C) 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.