Diabetes Complication Causes Memory Problems

Ivanhoe Broadcast News

(Ivanhoe Newswire) -- Children who suffer a common complication of diabetes may be prone to persistent memory problems, new research shows.

Kids who develop diabetic ketoacidosis, a complication of diabetes that occurs when the body is low in insulin and burns fat for energy instead of sugar, may experience nausea, vomiting and fatigue, but also a mental fog. If left untreated, ketoacidosis can lead to coma.

Now, a new study shows children who've had the condition in the past score worse on memory tests than children with diabetes who've never had ketoacidosis. The research involved 33 children with type 1 diabetes who have also had diabetic ketoacidosis, and 29 children with diabetes and no history of the condition.

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"These results underscore the importance of maintaining control of known diabetes and prompt diagnosis of new cases should diabetic ketoacidosis symptoms arise," Simona Ghetti, Ph.D., an associate professor at the University of California Davis Department of Psychology and the Center for Mind and Brain, in Davis, Calif., was quoted as saying.

Diabetic ketoacidosis can be prevented with proper glucose control in known diabetics, but Dr. Ghetti says it often occurs at the same time a diabetes diagnosis is made.

Source: Journal of Pediatrics, published online October 15, 2009

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