The aim of this work was to evaluate the influence of subclinical diabetic cardiomyopathy in patients suffering from type 1 (insulin-dependent) diabetes for at least 7 years. The study included 23 children (17 boys and 6 girls) aged 9.8-19.2 (mean age 15.4) suffering from IDDM for 7-14 years (mean time 9.5 years) The examinations were also performed in a control group, consisting of 23 healthy children. Complete echocardiographic examinations with Hewlett-Packard Sonos 1000 apparatus, including the evaluation of systolic and diastolic function of both heart ventricles were performed in all the patients. The results obtained in the present study were analysed statistically. Such parameters as diabetes duration, metabolic control, patients' age at the onset of diabetes, the presence of chronic complications (neuropathy, nephropathy, retinopathy) and hypertension were taken into account. The coefficient of Pearson linear correlation was used to evaluate the interrelationship between the examined parameters. T-student test and U Mann-Whitney tests were applied to compare the examined parameters in both groups. Conclusions: Insulin dependent diabetes mellitus lasting for at least 7 years impairs systolic and diastolic function of both heart ventricles. The main factors decreasing the parameters of the systolic and diastolic functions of heart ventricles seem to be disease duration and poor metabolic control. The knowledge of a possible pathological response of a cardiovascular system in children with IDDM urges a regular monitoring of the systolic and diastolic function of heart ventricles, particularly in patients suffering from IDDM for more than 7 years.

Keywords: diabetic cardiomyopathy, IDDM