Evaluation of cardiac function and carotis intima-media thickness in children with type 1 diabetes

Endotelial dysfunction, carotis intima-media thicknes, left cardiac systolic and diastolik function were evaluated with echocardiographic method in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM). This study was conducted in Gaziantep University Medical Faculty Hospital, Department of Pediatric Cardiology Units. The patient group consisted of 31 patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus which were followed at least 4 years in Pediatric Endocrinology units and 19 healty child were included to the study. Patients were groupped according to; a- duration of diabets, b-glisemic kontrol, c-gender and compared with the control group. Patient and control groups were similar in gender, age, height, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, weight, and body mass index. In diabetic males left carotis arter intima-media thicksness were found increased significantly (p=0,026). In diabetic male average carotis intima-media thickness were significantly different from the female group (p=0,042). Average and left carotis arter thickness which was increased in diabetic male was thougt that gender could be an independent risc factor for atherosclerosis. In diabetic male gender we thought that atherosklerosis process could be begin with endotelial dysfunction of left carotis arter media-intima thickness. Carotis intima media thickness in type 1 diabetes mellitus in children showed a linear increase with in duration of diabetes. This result was evaluated as an early indicator of atherosclerosis. Evaluation of left ventricul cardiac function with Doppler echocardiography, Diastolic function in diabetic group was significantly decreased in comparison with control group (p=0,049). This result demonstrates type 1 DM causes impairment in diastolic function in children as well as adults. We think that diastolic dysfunction in adult with DM, begins in pediatric age. Despite intensive diabetes treatment and glisemic control, type 1 DM is an important risk factor effects cardiovascular system even in the pediatric age. Key words: Type 1 diabetes mellitus, endothelial dysfunction, carotid intima media thickness, diastolic dysfunction, child.