The prevalence and risk factors associated with the onset f diabetic nephropathy in uvenile‐onset (insulin‐dependent) diabetics diagnosed under the age of 17 years in Leicestershire 1930‐1985

Seven hundred and eightynine patients, 93.2% of youngsters developing insulindependent diabetes under the age of 17 in Leicestershire over a 55‐year period were traced and examined for the development of diabetic nephropathy in terms of the presence of macroproteinuria.

With a mean age at diagnosis of 9.3 years and mean duration of diabetes 17 years, 3.6% had developed persistent proteinuria and 5% intermittent proteinuria. Those with proteinuria were shown to have significantly higher blood pressure, a greater usage of once daily insulin injections and a history ofpoor clinic attendance.