One of the lowest validated incidence rates of insulin dependent diabetes mellitus in the Americas: Santiago, Chile.

The goal of this study was to estimate the average annual incidence rate of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) in Santiago as part of a Multinational Project in Childhood Diabetes (Diabetes Mondiale or DiaMond). Incidence was calculated among subjects under 15 years of age, through a retrospective search and confirmation method from 1 January 1986 to 31 December 1992. Hospitals and private offices of endocrinologists and specialists in diabetes were surveyed. A total of 252 registered cases, 118 boys and 134 girls, for an annual incidences of 2.36/100,000 hab.year. which is one of the lowest validated rates in the Americas.