[Renal function in diabetic children and adolescents. Relation to the duration and level of control of the disease]. / Función renal en niños y adolescentes diabéticos. Relación con la duración y nivel de control de la enfermedad.

We have evaluated different aspects of the kidney function of 68 diabetic children and adolescents with the aim of estimating the prevalence of nephropathy and its influential factors. In addition, the kidney function is followed for an additional 18 months. The results are compared with those obtained from a group of healthy children of the same ages. No clinical nephropathy existed, with only 4 (5.97%) and 8 cases of incipient nephropathy and microalbuminuria, respectively, being demonstrated. The urinary albumin excretion rate (AER) is very clearly connected with the duration and the metabolic control of diabetes. Elevated values for AER were also observed in poorly controlled diabetics and those with prolonged evolution. Nevertheless, the last point may be secondary to the development of puberty, since with the same duration of diabetes (under 5 years), the proportion of pubertal patients with microalbuminuria is higher than that for prepubertal children.

[Theophylline toxicity in infants]. / Toxicidad de la teofilina en el lactante.

In order to evaluate risk factors and clinical manifestations of theophylline intoxication in the infant, a comparative study between intoxicated and non intoxicated during a period of 4 years has been made. The incidence of this complication was 9.5% (7/74). Except for the cases of 2 children where there was an administrative error, everyone received a similar dose, finding great variability in the reaction to the drug. Only age seems to contribute to an increased tendency to intoxication (6/7 less than or equal to 3 months). Concerning the clinical manifestations, we do not find any correlation between the theophylline levels and severity. All the infants presented tachicardia and irritability, 3/4 tonic-clonic seizures and/or episodes and 1/7 severe metabolic disturbances. Only 1/7 had prodromic symptoms, therefore in view of the variability in individual tolerance, we believe that theophylline should not be used for small without an appropriate control of its serum concentrations.