Studying the epidemiologic characteristics of children with type-i diabetes being treated in İzmir

This research was carried out by reviewing the "Diabetes Follow-Up Cards" redescriptively (retrospectively) in order to determine epidemiologic characteristics of children with type-1 diabetes who followed up in the Children's Endocrinology Polyclinics of Ege University Medical Faculty Hospital, Tepecik Training and Research Hospital and Dr. Behçet Uz Children's Diseases and Surgery Training and Research Hospital. The study's universe consists of 1079 type 1 diabetic children that followed up in these 3 institutes. As a data collection tool, a "diagnostic form for children with type-1 diabetes", based on "Diabetes Follow-Up Cards" used in Ege University Children's Endocrinology Polyclinic and in line with literature was developed for children between 0 and 18 years of age. A more comprehensive data collection tool that has more information than in "Diabetes Follow-Up Cards" was developed. Data of 723 (67 %) families that were not available in patient filers were obtained through telephone call. According to the result of the research, 51.3 % of children are being followed up in Dr. Behçet Uz Children's Diseases and Surgery Training and Research Hospital; 20.5 % in Tepecik Training and Research Hospital and 28.2 % in Ege University Medical Faculty Hospital. 42.9 % of children are within 10 -14 years age group (mean age is 12.23 years), 51.3 % are girls and 48.7 % are boys. 8.9 % of children were diagnosed at the age of 8. 60.2 % are living in Izmir and 39.8 % in nearby cities. 14.5 % of those who live in Izmir, reside in Bornova county. 62.1 % of them receive mother milk for 6 months, 66.5 % received supplementary food after 6 months, 14.1 % started formula baby food at 6 months and 30 % started cow milk at 12 months. 49.5 of children suffered from chickenpox before diagnose, 35,4 % experienced infection within lest 1 year before diagnose; 74.6 % of those that experienced infection suffered from upper respiratory tract infection. 32 % experienced stress in last 1 year before diagnose; the cause of stress in 45.5 % is domestic problems. In 15.5 % of children there is kinship between parents and in 7.9 % there is type-1 diabetes between 1st grade relatives. 95.6 % of children are using insulin; 92.2 % of those that use insulin are utilizing injection and 3.4 % infusion pump. 67.7 % of those using injection and 60.5 % of those that attend school and use insulin injection utilize injection by his/herself. 85.7 % of the insulin users use fast and long lasting type of insulin. 60.9 % of those that attend school arrange nourishment themselves. The latest HbA1c values were high in 26.6 % of children in 6-12 years age group and in 37.3 % of those in 13-18 years age group. Key Words: Type-1 diabetes, epidemiologic character, Child.