[Distribution of new cases of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) by age, sex, seasonality, and clinical characteristics at onset in youngsters from the Friuli Venezia Giulia region from 1987 to 1990].

A retrospective study was undertaken to estimate the incidence of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) in youngs (< 18 years) in a North-East Province of Italy: Friuli Venezia Giulia (total population: 1,211,320; under age 18: 185,860). On the assumption that all children with newly detected IDDM are referred to a hospital, data were collected from all pediatric departments (14) and from all diabetologic services (14) of the Province. A central register for all patients receiving drug reimbursement was used as the secondary source for validation of case ascertainment, that was 98%. All IDDM cases diagnosed between 1987 and 1990, with age onset < 18 years, and using insulin at discharge from hospital, were included. 73 new IDDM cases under 18 years (47 M, 26 F) were observed during the considered period. The average annual incidence of the disease (based on first hospital admission) was estimated to be 9.8 per 100,000 children under 18 years. There was a significantly higher incidence for boys (12.6/100,000) than for girls (6.9/100,000). The highest incidence (12.5/100,000) was in the age group 10-15, and the lowest (7.2/100,000) in the aged 0-5 years. First admission rates showed seasonal variations, with peaks in Oct/Nov and Jan/Feb. History of an infection during the month before the first admission was present in 17/73 cases. Duration of symptoms < 15 days, 15-30 days, > 30 days, was present in 43, 18, 12 patients respectively. Weight loss < 5% was present in 31/73 cases. Ketoacidosis at onset (pH < 7.36) was present in 30/73 cases.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)