GLUTAMIC ACID
DECARBOXYLASE AUTOANTIBODIES IN SUDANESE DIABETIC CHILDREN AND THEIR
SIBLINGS
Zaki M, IbrahimSA
Department of
Paediatrics and Child Health, University of Khartoum
Khartoum, Sudan
Objectives: A hospital-based,
prospective, case-controlled study was conducted in the period August 1998
– August 1999. The objectives were to a) determine the prevalence of
Glutamic Acid Decarboxylase (GAD) antibodies among children with type 1
IDDM and their healthy siblings and b) correlate GAD antibodies to the
clinical course of the disease.
Methods: Sixty-five diabetic
children with 25 of their healthy younger siblings and 31 healthy controls
were selected. A standard questionnaire was completed and random blood
sample was taken for sugar, hemoglobin A1c and GAD antibodies. Urinary
glycosuria, acetonuria and albuminuria were also done.
Results: Antibodies against GAD
were found to be positive in 46.1% of the diabetics, 8% of the siblings and
3.2% of the controls. Highest titters were detected in diabetics with
disease duration over one year. Positive titters were significant in
siblings of 2(8%) cases. No correlation was found between GAD antibodies
and age, gender, blood glucose level, glycosuria, acetonuria or albuminuria.
Conclusions: It is concluded that
GAD antibody is an important marker in Sudanese children with IDDM but its
role in disease prediction among siblings needs further research.