[Limited mobility of the joints: A complication of diabetes mellitus in children and adolescents].

The incidence of a specific complication, limited mobility of the joints (mainly of interphalangeal joints of the hand), was estimated in 108 patients aged 6 to 22 with insulin-dependent diabetes of 5 and more years duration. It was found to be high: 44%. This complication more frequently develops in cases of poor metabolic control and longer disease duration. Limited mobility of the joints in children and adolescents with insulin-dependent diabetes permits predict in them with a 50% probability early manifestations of retinopathy and nephropathy. A classification of this complication by three degrees is offered.