Auditory function and motor proficiency in type 1 diabetic children: A case-control study.

OBJECTIVES

The aim of the study was to evaluate the auditory and motor functions in children with insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM).

METHODS

This case-control study, 65 diabetic children, receiving care in Diabetes Center of 17 Sharivar Hospital, were enrolled. 130 controls were matched to cases by age and sex. The authors performed audio-vestibular tests, including pure tone audiometry (PTA), distortion product otoacoustic emission (DPOAE), auditory brainstem response (ABR), bedside head-impulse test and dynamic visual acuity test. Motor function was evaluated using of Bruininks-Oseretsky Test of Motor Proficiency, Second Edition (BOT-2).

RESULTS

The results showed higher thresholds of air conduction PTA and a prolonged peak latency of wave V (ABR) in diabetic children as compared to controls (all Ps < 0.001). The odds of normal response in DPOAE of cases decreased by 0.44-0.82 - fold. Although clinical vestibular outcomes were worse in cases, differences were not significant. In BOT-2, the cases had statistically significant lower scores (standard score = -0.58, P < 0.05) than the controls for the Total Motor Composite. Also diabetic girls had more skill motor impairment compared to boys with IDDM.

CONCLUSION

Based on our study, metabolic disturbances present in Type I diabetes cause disturbances in different parts of auditory and balance functions.