Neurological Alterations in Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus Among Adolescents

BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a group of chronic disorders of metabolism characterised by high blood glucose levels. There is an increased prevalence of Type 1 DM in children and adolescents with its adverse complications especially microvascular ones (retinopathy, nephropathy and neuropathy) that might cause multiple organ damage. AIM: To study the relation between DM and neurological affection. METHODS: Fifty-nine children with type I DM, divided randomly into 2 groups, aged 8-18 years old of both sexes were enrolled in this cross-sectional study. All children were subjected to full history taking, physical, neurological and systemic examination. RESULTS: There was an affection of motor power in both upper limbs as well as lower limbs. Also, we found that there was an affection of the superficial peripheral sensation affecting both upper and lower limbs. CONCLUSION: Neurological assessment of children with diabetes mellitus type I should be a routine to early discover these manifestations which can have a deteriorating effect on the child’s health

Role of Procalcitonin As an Inflammatory Marker in a Sample of Egyptian Children with Simple Obesity

BACKGROUND: Obesity is a multifactorial disease, associated with metabolic disorders and chronic low-grade inflammation. Procalcitonin (PCT) is well known as a biomarker of infection, and systemic inflammation. Recently, it has potential as a marker for chronic low-grade inflammation.AIM: This study aims to evaluate the role of serum PCT as an inflammatory biomarker in the diagnosis of obesity-related low-grade inflammation.METHOD: In this case-control study, 50 obese and 35 normal weight children and adolescents aged 5–15 years were enrolled. Anthropometric parameters were measured in all subjects. Blood samples were collected for measurement of lipid profile, blood glucose, insulin, high sensitivity-CRP (Hs-CRP) and serum procalcitonin. Serum (PCT) levels were assessed using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.RESULTS: Obese participants had higher concentrations of serum PCT, total cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL-c, glucose and Hs-CRP than control group. On correlation analysis, procalcitonin had significant positive correlation with (BMI) z-score (P = 0.02), insulin (P = 0.00), insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (P = 0.006), Hs-CRP (P = 0.02), total cholesterol (P = 0.04) and triglycerides (P = 0.00) in obese group.CONCLUSION: The increased serum procalcitonin concentrations were closely related to measures of adiposity, Hs-CRP and insulin resistance, suggesting that PCT may be an excellent biomarker for obesity-related chronic low-grade inflammation in children and adolescents