Study of Prevalence of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus Among School Children in Menofia Governorate

Abstract

Diabetes is the most common endocrine disease in children and adolescents. Type 1 DM develops when the body's immune system destroys the pancreatic B-cells producing the hormone insulin that regulates blood sugar. It normally affects children and young adults. The prevalence of type 1 diabetes is increasing in all populations at a rate of approximately 3% per year, and the onset of the condition is occurring at younger ages. The prevalence of diabetes mellitus varies widely between different populations, with a 400 fold variation in incidence between highest and lowest risk countries. In Egypt, the prevalence of IDDM has been difficult to quantitate accurately because, the criteria for the diagnosis of IDDM in childhood and for the lack of registration of discovered cases. The present work aimed at studying the prevalence, seasonality, risk factors and distribution among different areas & gender of type 1 diabetes in school children, in addition to clinical characteristics, complications, management trends and patients tolerance towards the disease in Menofia governorate, demonstrating the social awareness towards the disease. This