Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: Type 1 diabetes affects the puberty and staturopondral development of young diabetics.

Objective: Assess pubertal status in young DT1 patients and determine factors influencing pubertal development.

Materiel and method: Retrospective study involving 89 type 1 diabetics aged ≤ 18 years hospitalized in the department C of the National Institute of Nutrition of Tunis between January 2022 and October 2022.

Results: The mean age was 17.5± 5 years with a female predominance of 61%, the onset of diabetes was 9 ± 2 years. The average HbA1c level was 10.8%. Pediatric transition was noted in 15% of patients. Pubertal delay was observed in 12 girls (15%) and 6 boys (7.5%). The average age at menarche was 12.5 years (10-16), 47% of girls had irregular cycles. A statural delay was reported with 9 boys and 4 girls. Underweight was noted in 18.7% of patients, and overweight in 12% of girls. Pubertal delay was related to glycemic variability (P= 0.02), diabetes seniority (P<0.02), and the frequency of hypoglycemia (P<0.01). No significant association with insulin regimen and microangiopathies (P= 0.13).

Conclusion: Previous poorly controlled diabetes and hypoglycemia were predictors of delayed puberty. Puberty coincides with the transition period. Pediatrician-diabetologist coordination is needed to limit loss of sight and minimize the impact on growth and puberty.