Incidence of childhood diabetes mellitus in Austria 1979-1984.

The mean annual incidence of childhood diabetes mellitus in Austria was 7.22 cases per 100,000 with a year to year variation of 6.09-8.67 per 100,000. A seasonal variation of onset, with peaks in autumn and winter and with lower rates in summer in children older than 4 years, could be observed. The peak incidence in girls occurred at 11-12 years and preceded the highest incidence in boys by 1-2 years. Both sexes showed a small peak around 6 years of age. The male to female ratio was 1.2/1. Compared to epidemiologic studies in north-western Europe the incidence of childhood diabetes in Austria is low, however higher than in France or Italy.