Type 2 diabetes in Sudanese children and adolescents

The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of T2 DM among children and adolescents attending a paediatric and adolescent diabetic clinic in Khartoum -Sudan and to find out the etiological factors, clinical presentation, management and associated co morbidities. This was a retrospective, descriptive hospital based study. The records of all children attending the clinic at Jabir Abu Izz Diabetic Center from January 2006 to December 2009 were reviewed and those who were diagnosed as type 2 DM were identified. Out of 985 patients 38 (4%) were labeled as having type 2 DM. Out of these, 35 (92.1%) had onset between 11-18 years of age and were all pubertal. Three patients (7.9%) were under 10. Female to male ratio was 1.2: 1. Thirty two (84.2%) were from tribes of Arab origin. There were no cases from tribes of southern Sudan of African origin. Risk factors for obesity included: diabetes during pregnancy 15 (39.5%), large for dates 16 (43%) small for dates 12(32%), family history of obesity 10 (26.3%), lack of exercise 32 (87.6%), TV watching for long hours 32(84.3%) and consumption of fast foods. Almost 70% were symptomatic at presentation. Co morbidities included hypertension 22(57.9%), microalbuminuria 7 (18.4%), hyperlipidaemia 6(7%) and none had retinopathy. The mean HbA1C was 9.1% gm/dl. This data confirms that T2 DM is emerging as a health problem among children and adolescents in Sudan mostly as a result of obesity particularly among high socioeconomic group in urban areas and more prevalent in certain ethnic groups.