The Pattern of Presentation and Trends of Childhood Diabetes Mellitus in Port Harcourt, Southern Nigeria

Aim: To look at the Pattern of presentation trends of childhood DM in Port Harcourt, Southern Nigeria.
Study Design: Retrospective study.
Place and Duration of Study: Department of Paediatrics, Endocrinology unit between April 2009 and April 2014.
Methods: Twenty one patients presented with diabetes mellitus during the study period but only 20 patients had complete data and were studied, 6 males and 14 females, age range 2 years to 17 years. Information on patient biodata, clinical features, treatment and outcome were retrieved from endocrine registers, case files, and clinic and ward records.
Results: Diabetes mellitus in children accounted for 0.35% of total admissions over study period. Mean age of patients at diagnosis was 10.55±4.03. 14(70%) were females. The commonest presenting features were polyuria, polydipsia and weight loss with 14(70%) presenting with Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Mean duration of symptoms was 5.45 weeks with 65% presenting with duration of symptoms less than 30days. 14(67%) of the patients were diagnosed in the rainy months April to September. There was positive family history of DM in 14(70%) and 80% of patients were from low socioeconomic class. Only one child was obese. Hospital case fatality rate was 4.8%. All patients were on twice daily mixtard insulin.
Conclusion: This report highlights a reducing number of children are presenting with DKA in our centre. Clinical features have remained easily recognizable symptoms of polyuria, polydipsia which will aid early diagnosis. There is still a high prevalence of DKA in our environment, which is a risk factor for increased mortality amongst our children with diabetes. Hospital fatality is also lower. There is need for creation of more awareness amongst the health workers and the general public on childhood diabetes.