Abstract
OBJECTIVE: To determine the anamnestic, clinical, laboratory, instrumental, and functional features in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D) and subclinical diabetic nephropathy (DN); to assess the diagnostic value of urinary KIM-1 levels. METHODOLOGY: The study involved 80 children aged 3 to 18 years with type 1 diabetes and/or diabetic nephropathy in compliance with ethical standards. All patients underwent a comprehensive clinical examination, and measurement of KIM-1 levels in urine. RESULTS: In DN group the level of KIM-1 was significantly higher than inT1D group. In T1D group KIM-1 strongly correlated with T1D duration, number of DKA episodes/year. In DN group KIM-1 is strongly correlated with T1D duration, MAU and number of DKA episodes/year. T1D duration, MAU and disease status (T1D vs DN) were independent predictors of urinary KIM-1 levels. CONCLUSIONS: Urinary KIM-1 can be an early biomarker of kidney injury in pediatric patients with T1D, before overt clinical signs of DN.