Antithyroid and other organ-specific antibodies in Saudi Arab diabetic and normal children

Sera from 162 Saudi Arab children were examined for autoantibodies to thyroid microsomes, thyroglobulin pancreatic islet cells, gastric parietal cells, and adrenocortical cells. The subjects included a control group (n = 76) and 86 children below 14 years with Type 1 diabetes. Antithyroid antibodies were detected in 8.1% of the diabetic group and in none of the control group. Parietal cell antibodies were found in 9.3% of the diabetic group and 4.4% of the control group; 14.6% of diabetic children and 2.2% of control children were positive for islet antibodies. However, 56.3% (9/16) of those who were tested at onset of diabetes had positive islet antibodies. In none of the children could we detect adrenocortical cell antibodies.