[A rapid method of HbA1c determination in a pediatric diabetic patient sample]

A new Method for HbA1c measurements (Abbott vision) was evaluated. 107 patients (45 F, 62 M) of a paediatric diabetes clinic participated. The mean age was 14.9 (5.8-26.3) years, the mean duration of diabetes was 7.6 (0.1-21.1) years. Measurements were performed immediately after capillary blood sampling, the result was available within 15 min. The automated HPLC-system Diamat was used as a reference method, blood samples were stored at 4 degrees C and analysed within 24 h after blood sampling. There was a close correlation between both methods (r = 0.96, P < 0.0001). In the lower range the results measured by Abbott Vision were slightly lower, whereas in the higher range the results were slightly higher (HbA1c (Abbott) = 1.53 + HbA1c (Diamat).0.84). The accuracy seems to be satisfactory for estimating metabolic control. The HbA1c-result is available within 15 min which means a major advantage for the management of children and adolescents with type I diabetes.