The presence of islet cell antibodies in malnutrition-related diabetes mellitus.

The etiology of malnutrition-related diabetes mellitus (MRDM), mostly seen in the developing countries, is still unknown, though an excessive consumption of cassava and a low intake of protein are considered to be its causative factors. Previous immunological studies, though rarely performed, have so far, to our knowledge, shown no case of MRDM with iselt cell antibodies (ICA). We found a 16-year-old MRDM boy with ICA and report on this in the present communication.