Assessment of nerve conduction studies in insulin-dependent diabetes in children and adolescents at the tertiary care center in eastern Nepal.

BACKGROUND

Young adults suffering from Type 1 Diabetes mellitus may have diabetic peripheral neuropathy without any signs and symptoms, as one of the complications. Nerve conduction study is routinely used for evaluation of neuromuscular function. This study aimed to conduct a nerve conduction study in insulin-dependent type 1 diabetes mellitus in children and adolescents.

METHODS

It was a cross-sectional, descriptive study conducted on 16 diagnosed cases of diabetes mellitus in children aged between 5-15 years and 16 healthy controls. Children were selected based on inclusion criteria from Pediatric and adolescent diabetic clinics who came for follow-up. A motor nerve conduction study of the median, tibial, and common peroneal nerves was recorded, and a sensory nerve conduction study of the median and sural nerves was recorded.

RESULTS

The percentage of females was 46.4% and males were 53.6%. The age of diabetic children was (mean ± SD) 9.75 ± 3.53 and healthy control was 10.75 ± 3.14. A comparison of sensory nerve conduction parameters between type one diabetes in children and healthy control; onset latency of the sural nerve was prolonged on the bilateral side in diabetes children. Similarly, the SNAP amplitude of the median and sural nerves was decreased in diabetes children.

CONCLUSIONS

In type 1 diabetes in children, peripheral nerves get affected even in asymptomatic patients in children. More disease duration and uncontrolled glucose levels will lead to the involvement of nerves getting affected. Proper follow-up is needed for better management.