Aim:

The aim of the study was the evaluation of the effects of glycemic control on cardiac functions in children and adolescents diagnosed with Type-1 Diabetes Mellitus (DM).

Materials and Methods:

Children with Diabetes type-1 were divided into two groups as moderate-controlled (MC) and poorly-controlled (PC) patients according to the glycemic control. The patients were evaluated in terms of conventional, 'pulsed' Doppler and tissue Doppler imaging (DDG) echocardiographic parameters for left ventricular systolic and diastolic function.

Results:

Thirty children were in the MC group, thirty children in the PC group and 30 in the control group. There were statistically significant differences between diabetic patients and control groups in terms of 'pulsed' and tissue Doppler echocardiographic parameters. Tissue Doppler parameters in the PC group showed, statistically significant elongation time of isovolumetric relaxation, isovolumetric contraction and significantly shortening time of ejection, as a result, a significant relationship was found between the left ventricle functions and metabolic control.

Conclusion:

Conventional and tissue Doppler echocardiography showed dysfunction of left ventricular function in children with type-1 DM. This study found that impairment of left ventricular diastolic functions may be directly related to glycemic control, and children with poor metabolic control have a higher risk of diabetic cardiomyopathy.

Keywords: Children, HbA1c, tissue doppler imaging, type 1 diabetes mellitus