THE DANISH SOCIETY FOR DIABETES IN CHILDHOOD AND ADOLESCENCE

OBJECTIVEdTo determine the prevalence of residual b-cell function (RBF) in children after 3–6 years of type 1 diabetes, and to examine the association between RBF and incidence of severe hypoglycemia, glycemic control, and insulin requirements. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODSdA total of 342 children (173 boys) 4.8–18.9 years of age with type 1 diabetes for 3–6 years were included. RBF was assessed by testing meal-stimulated C-peptide concentrations. Information regarding severe hypoglycemia within the past year, current HbA1c, and daily insulin requirements was retrieved from the medical records and through patient interviews. RESULTSdNinety-two children (27%)hadRBF.0.04nmol/L. Patientswith RBF,0.04nmol/L were significantly more likely to have severe hypoglycemia than patients with RBF.0.04 nmol/L (odds ratio, 2.59; 95%CI, 1.10–7.08; P, 0.03). HbA1c was significantly higher in patients with RBF,0.04 nmol/L compared with patients with RBF.0.04 nmol/L (mean, 8.49 6 0.08% [69.3 6 0.9 mmol/mol] vs. 7.92 6 0.13 % [63.1 6 1.4 mmol/mol]; P, 0.01), and insulin requirements were significantly lower in patients with RBF.0.2 nmol/L (mean 6 SE: 1.07 6 0.02 vs. 0.93 6 0.07 units/kg/day; P, 0.04)