Abstract

Objective: Cardiovascular diseases are one of the prevalent death causes in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM), and atherosclerosis can begin in childhood. This study analyzed aortic elasticity of children with type 1 DM diagnosis and compare them with healthy children.

Methods: Thirty-one patients DM diagnosis for at least 4 years and 19 healthy children participated in the study. Anthropometric measurements and demographic characteristics of all individuals were obtained. The parameters related to aortic diameter by Doppler and M-mode monitoring were determined and used in aortic strain, elastic modulus, aortic stiffness index β and aortic distensibility calculations.

Results: The myocardial performance index, systolic and diastolic function, elastic modulus, aortic distensibility values of two groups with similar anthropometric measurements and demographic features were similar. In the patient group, decrease in aortic strain value and an increase in aortic stiffness index were found statistically significant (p<0.05). The difference in aortic stiffness index and elastic modulus values of the group with poor glycemic control was statistically significant (p<0.05).

Conclusion: This study indicates that cardiovascular involvement starts in childhood with findings such as decreased aortic strain and increased aortic stiffness before deteriorate systolic and diastolic functions of patients with type 1 DM. Strict glucose control should be maintained to preserve arterial elasticity and prevent atherosclerosis.