Abstract :

ABSTRACT

Childhood diabetes, once uncommon and often fatal in the early 20th century, has seen a steady rise in incidence by the century's end. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of diabetes among school children and adolescents in Sana’a city, Yemen. Out of a total student population of 26,410 across four educational districts, 2,870 students underwent diabetes screening through urine glucose testing. Initial suspicion from urine testing led to confirmation through blood glucose testing.

Results: Glucosuria in 10 out of 2,870 students, indicating an overall crude prevalence of 0.35% among the investigated school children and adolescents. The diagnosis of type 1 diabetes was confirmed through plasma glucose and C-peptide level testing in both index patients and a control group. Compared to the control group, students with diabetes exhibited significantly higher mean fasting and 2-hour postprandial plasma glucose levels (P < 0.0001) but significantly lower mean fasting serum C-peptide values (P < 0.0001). The age-standardized prevalence rate for the age range of 5-19 years (Census 1994 population-adjusted rate) was determined as 0.36% (95% CI: 0.2-0.5%).

Conclusion: Pediatric-onset Type 1 diabetes demonstrates a relatively prevalent presence among school children and adolescents in Yemen, with a slightly higher frequency among those aged ≥ 15 years, showing no significant difference based on gender.

Keywords: Type 1 Diabetes; Screening.