[Function of the autonomic nervous system in children and adolescents with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus].

19 IDDM patients (m/f 9/10; ages 7-25 y.; duration of diabetes 3-20 y., mean 10 y.) have been compared to 15 healthy controls (m/f 11/4; ages 11-24 y., mean 14 y.) in respect to HRTS (heart rate response to standing), SDB (single deep breath) and Valsalva maneuvre. In the diabetics the results have been correlated to MNCV (motor nerve conduction velocities), quality of diabetic control and duration of diabetes. A questionnaire did not uncover signs or symptoms of autonomic dysfunction. Resting heart rates were significantly higher in diabetics but were unrelated to age, duration of diabetes, quality of diabetic control or MNCV. HRTS, SDB and the Valsalva maneuvre did not display statistically significant differences between diabetics and controls. Diabetic autonomic dysfunction seems to be rare in young diabetics. Routinely testing for this sequela would therefore not be justified at this stage of diabetes. On the other hand diabetic autonomic dysfunction might be harmful for the patient as regards sudden and unexpected cardiorespiratory arrest eg. during anaesthesia or bronchopneumonia. If therefore symptoms and/or signs of possible peripheral or autonomic dysfunction are present special investigations (eg. HRTS) are indicated.