15 parameters of coagulation and fibrinolysis in children with type I diabetes mellitus (onset period).

15 parameters of coagulation and fibrinolysis were investigated in 38 children with type I diabetes mellitus without clinical signs of diabetic angiopathy. Compared to an age matched non diabetic control group spontaneous platelet aggregation was enhanced, plasma levels for factor VIII C, von Willebrand factor, antithrombin III and C-1-inactivator were elevated, alpha-2-macroglobulin was decreased at onset of the disease. During remission (3, 6, 12 months) these changes reverted to normal. Alpha-2-antiplasmin decreased after 12 months. If, during partial remission, diabetic duration was longer than one year an increase of factor VIII C was seen again. In comparison to the controls no significant alterations were found for ristocetin cofactor, fibrinogen, plasminogen and alpha-1-antichymotrypsin. It seems likely that changes in plasmatic coagulation, fibrinolysis and platelet function during the onset period of diabetes mellitus type I are due to metabolic changes and precede diabetic angiopathy.