Is Isolated Autoantibody Seropositivity a Risk Factor in the Development of Diabetic Nephropathy in Type 1 Diabetic Children?

Objective: Diabetic nephropathy is one of the most important complications in diabetes mellitus. We aimed to examine the influence of organ-specific antibody seropositivity in diabetic nephropathy. Methods: Patients with type 1 diabetes and no evidence of celiac disease, thyroid dysfunction, and other kidney diseases and with an annual average HbA1c level <10%, body mass index <25 kg/m(2), and normal blood pressure were enrolled. Results: Eighty patients (39 boys and 41 girls) were evaluated. Twenty patients with moderately increased albuminuria (diabetic nephropathy group) and 60 patients without albuminuria (control group) showed no statistical difference in age, gender, diabetes duration, age at diagnosis, kidney function tests, and mean blood pressure measurements. Compared to control group, the mean anti-thyroglobulin level and anti-thyroxin peroxidase level were statistically higher in the diabetic nephropathy group, P =.004 and P =.045, respectively. However, the thyroid function tests were normal in either group. Conclusion: Determination of the impact of autoantibody seropositivity on the risk of diabetic nephropathy in type 1 diabetic children could be a non-traditional marker in the risk assessment of diabetic nephropathy.