Cognitive function and event related potentials in children with type I diabetes mellitus

Type 1 diabetes mellitus is associated with cognitive changes, but the extent of cognition decline depends on age at onset, duration of diabetes and occurrence of attacks of hypoglycemia or ketoacidosis.This study was designed to assess cognitive function in a group of children with type I diabetes mellitus. Forty diabetic children, with mean age at onset of 8.59±2.71 year, were recruited from the Pediatric Department of Assuit University Hospital, Egypt. Forty healthy children matched for age, sex, socioeconomic states were chosen as controls for comparison. Cognition was assessed using the psychometric (Stanford Binet test) and electrophysiologic (Event Related Potentials) tests. Compared to control group, patients reported significant reduction in intelligent quotient, comprehension, abstract visual reasoning, quantitative reasoning, bead memory and total short memory testing for cognitive functions. Prolonged N1, P200, N2 and P300 latencies and reduced P300-N2 amplitude of event related potentials were also reported. Significant negative correlations were identified between in most studied cognitive functions and ketoacidosis or family history of diabetes mellitus. Type I diabetes mellitus and diabetes-related factors are important risks for cognitive deficits in children group of population.