[Practical considerations on screening for microalbuminuria in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes]

Diabetic Nephropathy is one of the microvascular complications associated with type 1 diabetes mellitus with a major portion of the excess morbidity and mortality. In order to avoid or at least delay its onset we should detect a very small amount of proteins in the urine (between 15-20 and 200 micrograms/min.) that is a strong predictor of those likely to progress to overt nephropathy. This detection can be obtained evaluating an overnight sample of urine and suggest preventives interventions. such as intensive diabetes management and angiotensin converting enzyme inhibition (ACEi). Furthermore, associated risk factors should be prevented or treated (hypertension, retinopathy, hyperlipidemia and smoking).