Prevalence and clinical features of type 1.5 diabetes mellitus in children.

ABSTRACT

AIM: To classify children with diabetes mellitus as type 1, 1.5 or 2, based on strict criteria, and then compare their features and treatment. METHODS: In this retrospective study, all children with diabetes mellitus in our clinic with antibody status available (n = 120) were reclassified as type 1, 1.5 or type 2 based on status of antibodies to the pancreas and presence of obesity and/or acanthosis nigricans, and their features compared. RESULTS: Sixty-four percent of type 2 patients were reclassified as type 1.5. Type 1.5 patients had significantly lower BMI SDS, blood pressure and acanthosis nigricans than type 2 patients. They had a higher insulin requirement (0.82 +/- 0.44 U/kg/day) than type 1 (0.72 +/- 0.35 U/kg/day) or type 2 (0.28 +/- 0.3 U/kg/day) patients. Total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, ALT and AST significantly worsened from type 1 to 1.5 to type 2 patients. CONCLUSIONS: Type 1.5 diabetes mellitus should be considered among obese adolescents presenting as type 2, as their clinical course is more aggressive and insulin requirement higher.