Higher HbA1c was observed in young people with diabetes who fasted during COVID-19 pandemic lockdown of 2020 Ramadan in Bangladesh - A Post Ramadan survey.

OBJECTIVE: Muslim people with T1DM should be actively discouraged from fasting during the COVID-19 pandemic, as diabetes has emerged as a significant risk factor for adverse outcomes of COVID-19 infection. We report the experience of young patients with type 1, type 2 and other types diabetes who fasted during Ramadan 2020 at the time of the COVID-19 pandemic time lockdown. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: A Post- Ramadan survey was designed for young patients who fasted during Ramadan in 2020 during COVID pandemic time. The study was conducted to compared the basal characteristics and other parameters in children and adolescents (<18 years), with young adults (≥18 years) with diabetes at Paediatric Diabetes Center in BIRDEM in Bangladesh. RESULTS: Among the study participants, a significantly higher number of participants were in older age group who fasted for more than 15 days (p = 0.045). A considerable proportion (30.7%) of patients developed mild hypoglycaemia, and only eight patients (2.6%) developed moderate to severe hypoglycemia. There was significant reduction of post Ramadan basal insulin dose in both groups (p = 0.001). Although increased bolus insulin dose requirements were observed in older age group, but decreased requirement was observed in younger age group during Ramadan (p = 0.001). Post Ramadan median HbA1C in both groups was increased with marked increase in older age group compared to younger age group though it did not reach the statistical significance. (p = 0.239) CONCLUSIONS: COVID-19 pandemic had minor impact on fasting during Ramadan in our cohort, they could fast safely with less complications during Ramadan. Our data supports Ramadan focused diabetes education with ample self-care, young people with diabetes can fast safely during Ramadan.

Vitamin D status in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes in a specialized diabetes care centre in Bangladesh.

OBJECTIVES: High prevalence of vitamin D deficiency (VDD) in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes (T1D) was found in several epidemiological studies. The current study aimed to assess the Vitamin D status in children and adolescents with T1D and to examine the influence of the disease characteristics on vitamin D status in a specialized care centre in a tertiary hospital in Bangladesh. METHODS: Participants were enrolled in the cross-sectional study at the time of a regularly scheduled visit to the CDiC Paediatric Diabetes Center in BIRDEM 2(Bangladesh Institute of Research and Rehabilitation of Diabetes Endocrine and Metabolic Disorders), a tertiary care hospital in Bangladesh. The demographic and clinical data were collected through medical records with a structured questionnaire. RESULTS: Among sixty study participants, most had inadequate levels of vitamin D: deficiency 31 (51.7%), insufficiency 14 (23.3%) and sufficiency 15 (25.0%). Participants with vitamin D deficiency (VDD) were significantly older compared to the sufficient and insufficient group (p = .029), and were residing in urban areas (p = .036) and from higher socioeconomic status (p = .014). BMI was significantly higher in VDD compared to the sufficient group (p = .040). Although we observed higher median values of daily insulin requirements and HbA1c values in patients with VDD compared to patients with vitamin D insufficiency or vitamin D sufficiency, these differences did not reach statistical significance. CONCLUSIONS: The present study revealed that the prevalence of vitamin D deficiency and insufficiency among T1 diabetes children was very high. Future studies in large sample are required to assess hypovitaminosis D in youth with T1D and also the possible relating factors of vitamin D deficiency.

Incidence of diabetes in children and adolescents in Dhaka, Bangladesh.

OBJECTIVES: Bangladesh has limited information regarding incidence of type 1 diabetes (T1D) and type 2 diabetes (T2D) in young people. The objective of this study was to measure minimum incidence of T1D and T2D, and record other types of new-onset diabetes in children and adolescents <20 years (y), in Dhaka District, Bangladesh, from 2011-2018. METHODS: Retrospective study using clinical records from Diabetic Association of Bangladesh clinics. Cases were classified by clinical evaluation. RESULTS: 725 cases were diagnosed. 482 (66.5%) had T1D, 205 (28.3%) T2D, 14 (1.9%) fibrocalculous pancreatic diabetes, and 24 (3.3%) other types. Male:female ratios for T1D/T2D were 1:1.6 (p<0.0001) (T1D) and 1:1.4 (p<0.01) respectively. T1D cases by age-group were 7.3% (0-4 y), 19.9% (5-9 y), 43.6% (10-14 y) and 29.3% (15-19 y). Mean ± SD ages of onset were 12.3 ± 4.2 y (T1D) and 13.1 ± 2.4 y (T2D). Annual T1D mean incidences/100,000 were 1.22 [95%CI: 0.85-1.58] (<15 y) and 1.25 [0.94-1.57] (<20 y), and for T2D 0.52 [0.33-0.73] (<20 y). T1D incidence <15 y was 1.04 [0.69-1.39] in 2011 and 1.42 [1.04-1.80] in 2018 (p=0.08). T2D incidence rose from 0.22 [0.80-0.36] (2011) to 0.57 [0.36-0.77] (2018), an annualized increase of 12% [8-22%] (p=0.001). Ascertainment was estimated as 95%. CONCLUSIONS: T1D was most common, but T2D, FCPD and other forms also occur. T2D incidence increased during the study period.

Characteristics of children and adolescents at onset of type 2 diabetes in a Tertiary Hospital in Bangladesh.

INTRODUCTION: Recent data show that the prevalence of diabetes among children and adolescents is increasing in some ethnic groups. The worldwide epidemic of childhood obesity has been accompanied by an increase in the incidence of type 2 diabetes (T2D) in youth. METHODS: The aim of this study was to describe the baseline characteristics of children and adolescents diagnosed ≤18 years who had features of T2D and presented at Changing Diabetes in Children, Paediatric Diabetes Clinic at Bangladesh Institute of Research and Rehabilitation of Diabetes, Endocrine, and Metabolic Disorders. All patients who were newly diagnosed and came to the clinic from March 2011 to March 2015 were included. RESULTS: Among 939 newly registered patients, 77 (8%) had a diagnosis of T2D. The age at diagnosis was 9-10 years in 11 patients (14%), 11-14 years in 46 (60%) and 15-17 years in other 20 patients (26%). Majority of the children had a positive family history of T2D (94%) and 58% were obese. Median fasting insulin (27.9 [17.3-99.3]) was high in 76% patients. Insulin was started initially along with metformin in 40 patients and could be stopped in six patients in 3 months. CONCLUSION: Our study reflects that T2D is emerging as a problem in children and adolescents in Bangladesh.

Prevalence of obesity and central obesity among adolescent girls in a district school in Bangladesh.

INTRODUCTION: The prevalence of childhood obesity has increased over the last two decades. Obesity is a major risk factor for chronic diseases and plays a central role in insulin resistance or metabolic syndrome. METHODS: The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of obesity and abdominal obesity by means of body mass index (BMI) and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR) in adolescent girls in a district school in Bangladesh. Based on age and sex specific BMI percentiles, the students were classified as normal weight (5(th)-<85(th) percentile), overweight (85(th)-<95(th) percentiles), and obese (≥95(th) percentile). Central obesity was categorized as WHtR ≥ 0.5. Adolescent girls (aged 9-17 years) attending the sixth to twelfth grades (n = 501) in a Bengali medium school participated in the study. RESULTS: The prevalence of obesity and overweight were 23% and 14% among the girls. The prevalence of central obesity was 26%. Around 14% of girls in the normal weight group were centrally obese. There was a significant relationship between WHtR and BMI status (P = 0.0001). CONCLUSION: Our study provides evidence showing a high prevalence of overall and central obesity in adolescent girls in our population. We emphasize the need for further large scale surveillance programs and preventive strategies in our population to reduce the incidence of obesity.

Should Type 1 diabetics fast in Ramadan.

Fasting during the holy month of Ramadan is obligatory for all healthy adult and adolescent Muslims from the age of 12 years. This involves abstaining from eating or drinking from early dawn (Suhur/Sehri) till sunset (Iftar).Fasting is not meant to create excessive hardships or impart any adverse effect to the Muslim individual. As such, Islam has exempted certain categories of people from fasting including young children, travelers, the sick, the elderly,and pregnant and lactating women. According to expert opinion, people with type 1 diabetes who fast during Ramadan are at very high risk of metabolic deterioration. However, some recent studies have demonstrated that individuals with type 1 diabetes who are otherwise healthy and stable, can fast during Ramadan provided they comply with the Ramadan focused management plan and are under close professional supervision. This article discusses how to assess, counsel, monitor and manage people with type 1 diabetes who wish to fast during Ramadan.

Fasting during Ramadan in adolescents with diabetes.

BACKGROUND: Fasting (Sawm) during Ramadan, one of the five pillars of Islam is obligatory for all healthy adult and adolescent Muslims from the age of 12 years. Some children with diabetes, despite their exemption insist on fasting in Ramadan. We evaluated the safety of fasting among children with type 1 diabetes. MATERIALS AND MATHODS: A prospective observational study was designed for diabetic children and adolescents who wish to fast during Ramadan 2012. Patients with their caregivers were given intensive education and instructions were provided by diabetic educators, dieticians and physicians on insulin adjustment, home blood glucose monitoring and dietary adjustments prior to Ramadan. RESULTS: A total of 33 children and adolescents were included in this study. Of these, 16 were male and 17 were female. Majority (60.6%) of the patients could complete their fasting during the Ramadan. Patients were divided into two groups, those who completed fasting were considered as Group-I, whereas patients who broke the fast were in Group-ll. Blood glucose, hemoglobin A1c weight, and insulin dose before and after Ramadan in two groups showed no significant difference. CONCLUSION: Children older than 11 years of age with type 1 diabetes mellitus with conventional twice-a-day regimen can fast safely during Ramadan provided they have proper education and intensive follow-up during Ramadan.

Fasting guidelines for diabetic children and adolescents.

Fasting during the month of Ramadan, the ninth month of Islamic lunar calendar, is obligatory for all healthy adult and adolescent Muslims from the age of 12 years. Fasting starts from early dawn (Sohur/Sehri) till sunset (Iftar). During this period one has to abstain from eating and drinking. Islam has allowed many categories of people to be exempted from fasting, for example, young children, travelers, the sick, the elderly, pregnant, and lactating women. According to expert opinion, patients with type 1 diabetes (type 1 DM) who fast during Ramadan are at a very high risk to develop adverse events. However, some experienced physicians are of the opinion that fasting during Ramadan is safe for type 1 DM patients, including adolescents and older children, with good glycemic control who do regular self-monitoring and are under close professional supervision. The strategies to ensure safety of type 1 diabetic adolescents who are planning to fast include the following: Ramadan-focused medical education, pre-Ramadan medical assessment, following a healthy diet and physical activity pattern, modification in insulin regimen, and blood glucose monitoring as advised by the physician.