Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus presenting as neurodevelopmental impairment

• Main Authors: Marta Faria Alves, Mónica Costeira, Joana da Silva Ferreira, Susana Soares, Catarina Magalhães, Carla Meireles
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: Centro Hospitalar do Porto 2018-07-01
• Series: Nascer e Crescer
• Subjects: Child neurodevelopment; Hyperglycaemia; Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus
• Online Access: https://revistas.rcaap.pt/nascercrescer/article/view/10719
• ISSN: 0872-0754; 2183-9417

Introduction: Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus is one of the most prevalent chronic diseases in childhood and adolescence. Disease presentation is diverse, depending on the duration of symptoms and the age of onset. Case report: A 30-month-old child was referred to the Paediatric Outpatient Clinic for loss of cognitive and behavioural skills and stagnation of motor abilities occurring in the last six months, weight loss and polydipsia during the previous month. The child was diagnosed with inaugural type 1 Diabetes Mellitus without acidosis. Management of the disease, through glycaemic control with insulin therapy was associated with progressive improvement of the child’s neurodevelopment. Discussion/Conclusion: This case illustrates an unusual presentation of type 1 Diabetes. The mechanisms underlying acute neurological changes associated with type 1 Diabetes are not yet completely clarified. An efficient glycaemic control benefits an adequate neurodevelopment of children with Diabetes.