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The incidence of IDDM in Singapore children
1Department of Paediatrics, KK Women's and Children's Hospital, Singapore.
Insights
The incidence of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) in Singaporean children aged 0-12 is rising, with a rate of 2.46 per 100,000. This study highlights variations across ethnic groups and a female predominance.
Area of Science:
- Pediatrics
- Endocrinology
- Epidemiology
Background:
- Insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) is a significant pediatric health concern.
- Understanding IDDM incidence is crucial for public health planning in diverse populations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To determine the incidence rate of IDDM in children aged 0-12 years in Singapore.
- To analyze trends and demographic variations in pediatric IDDM.
Main Methods:
- A 2-year survey of healthcare providers (hospitals and private sector) was conducted.
- Membership records from the Diabetes Society of Singapore were used as a secondary data source.
- The capture-recapture method was employed to assess data completeness (92.2%).
Main Results:
- The age-standardized incidence rate of IDDM was 2.46 per 100,000 children (1992-1994).
- A rising trend was observed: 1.4/100,000 in 1992, 2.4/100,000 in 1993, and 3.8/100,000 in 1994.
- Ethnic variations were noted, with higher incidence in Indians (5.78/100,000) compared to Chinese (2.25/100,000) and Malays (1.23/100,000). A female preponderance (1:1.85 ratio) and seasonal patterns were also identified.
Conclusions:
- Singapore's IDDM incidence in children is comparable to Hong Kong and Japan, but higher than Shanghai.
- The findings suggest a growing incidence of IDDM in Singapore's pediatric population.
- Further research is recommended to understand ethnic disparities and rising trends in pediatric IDDM.
Objective:
To determine the incidence of insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) in children 0-12 years of age in Singapore, which has a population of 2.9 million.
Methods:
The primary source was a 2-year phone and mail survey of doctors in the government and government restructured hospitals and the private sector. The secondary source was the membership records of the Diabetes Society of Singapore.
Results:
Using the capture-recapture method, ascertainment was assessed to be 92.2% complete. The age standardised incidence rate was 2.46 per 100,000 children 0-12 years old, for the period 1992-1994 (95% confidence interval: 2.16-2.75). The data seemed to indicate a rising incidence of IDDM in this population, being 1.4/100,000 in 1992, 2.4/100,000 in 1993 and 3.8/100,000 in 1994. The male: female ratio is 1:1.85. There was seasonal variation with fewer cases from July to October and more from November to May. Five percent of patients had a first degree relative with IDDM. Malays appeared to have a lower incidence (1.23/100,000) compared to the Chinese (2.25/100,000) and the Indians (5.78/100,000).
Conclusions:
The incidence of IDDM in Singapore children is similar to that reported for Hong Kong and Japan, but higher than that for Shanghai. The female preponderance is similar to that seen in other Asian population. The data suggests a rising incidence of IDDM in Singapore and differences in incidence between the Malays, Chinese and Indians, but further observations are needed.