Juvenile diabetes mellitus in Ethiopians.

The clinical features seen in 27 Ethiopian juvenile diabetics, which were similar to those of juvenile diabetics elsewhere, are summarized in this first published report from an African country of childhood diabetes. Control was difficult and admission to hospital frequent because of poverty, uncontrolled diets and irregular supplies of insulin. This group of childhood diabetics represents 9.8% of patients attending a diabetic clinic in Addis Ababa. Survey of the published information on diabetes mellitus in African populations reveals that most series do contain several children and a significant number of teenagers. It is concluded that juvenile diabetes mellitus is not rare in African countries.