Epidemiology of type I diabetes mellitus among Arab children

In this article, the epidemiology of type 1 diabetes mellitus among Arab children (<15 years) living in Arab and non-Arab countries is reviewed. These data include the incidence, prevalence and etiopathogenic factors including genetics, environmental factors as well as autoimmune disease markers aside from clinical presentation at onset. The review is based on the information from publications in the international literature identified by searching Medline, other websites as well as personal experience and some communications. The obtained data suggest that the incidence of type 1 diabetes in these countries is increasing similar to the experience in other parts of the world. High incidence has been reported among Arab children who immigrated to some Western countries. The highest incidence is in Qatar and Kuwait and the lowest is in Oman and Jordan. There is considerable variation among countries, which could not be explained on genetic or climatic variations alone. Other environmental factors particularly nutritional ones including high intake of dairy products and vitamin D deficiency are possibly operating. Further, nationwide research from different countries covering the rural as well as urban areas and different ethnic intermixes are needed. To overcome financial and facility problems that hinder research; some cooperation between these countries as well as international bodies are needed.