[Particularities of diabetes in children and adolescents in the Endocrinology Department of the Libreville University Hospital Center from 2020 to 2023].

INTRODUCTION

diabetes in children and adolescents is a major concern in Africa, due to challenges in management and treatment adherence, with the risk of early onset of complications in this population. The purpose of this study was to provide an overview of the population of diabetic children and adolescents followed at CHUL.

METHODS

we conducted a cross-sectional study from January 2020 to December 2023. It included children and adolescents under 19 years of age hospitalised in the Endocrinology Department of CHUL.

RESULTS

during the study period, 114 patients under the age of 19 were hospitalised, representing a hospital frequency of 8%. Female predominance was noted (F/M sex ratio 0.67). The mean age was 13.08 ± 4.14 years, with extremes ranging from 3 months to 19 years. The mean age at diagnosis was 10.96 ± 4.29 years, 64.04% had health insurance, and 67.55% had a secondary education level. Diabetic ketoacidosis accounted for 64.91% of cases; polyuria and polydipsia were the most frequent signs, and 54.38% of patients tested positive for autoantibodies. Ketoacidosis decompensations were frequent (29%). Mortality accounted for 3.5% of cases.

CONCLUSION

diabetes in children and adolescents is not a rare condition in Libreville. It appears to affect girls more frequently. The most common complication is ketoacidosis. Mortality is low; however, the high rate of rehospitalisations raises the issue of therapeutic education and transition in our population of young diabetic patients.