A total of 1419 children with type 1 diabetes mellitus was investigated in order to assess the true frequency of Hashimoto's thyroiditis (HT), diagnosed by microsomal and/or thyroglobulin autoantibodies, by ultrasound and in many cases also by fine needle biopsy. According to these criteria, 55 cases (3.9%) of HT were identified, a number significantly higher (P < 0.0001) than the distribution reported in the normal paediatric population. No typical antibody pattern was seen prior to the onset of HT, nor was an antibody threshold level found which could have been diagnostic for this disease. Patients with subclinical hypothyroidism were treated with L-thyroxine and were investigated regarding the behaviour of anti-thyroid autoantibodies; however, no significant changes were seen. The data showed a high frequency of HT in diabetic children, and therefore we recommend that children with type 1 diabetes mellitus should be screened for thyroid autoantibodies and those positive should undergo periodic thyroid function testing.

The presence of Y-chromosomal sequences in the cells of patients with Turner-Syndrome (TS) is a risk factor for the development of gonadal tumors. Therefore and since demonstration of Y-material usually results in prophylactic gonadectomy optimal sensitivity and specificity of the diagnosis have to be attempted. We wanted to evaluate the diagnostic potential of cytogenetic investigations as routinely employed in TS. In the most comprehensive study published so far we screened 208 TS patients for the presence of Y-chromosomal sequences by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) specific for eight different loci along the Y-chromosome. Six patients (3%) without cytogenetic evidence of Y-chromosome were found to be Y-positive. Among 12 cases with marker chromosomes two more Y-chromosomal fragments were identified. Thus, PCR-screening for Y-specific sequences was shown to be a valuable tool in the clinical management of Turner patients.

SummaryThe objective of this study was to determine the incidence of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) in the population of Zagreb, Croatia, during 1988Croatia, during -1992. A centralized diabetes registry was the primary source of data, while secondary sources were used to assess ascertainment. A total of 282 new cases of IDDM were diagnosed in the study period, the primary and secondary sources identifying annually 93-100 % of the cases. The annual incidence rate ranged from 5.6 per 100,000 to 6.6 per 100,000. Early fatality in persons older than 50 years was the major cause of underascertainment. The incidence peaked in the 10-14 years age group (12.4 per 100,000), and remained stable after age 24years. Males had a significantly higher incidence in the 5-9 and 24-44 years age groups. In the 45-54 years age group, females had a significantly higher incidence. No seasonality was observed. Despite the war conditions in Croatia, the low overall IDDM incidence rates did not change significantly during the study period. [Diabetologia (1995) 38: 550-554]

SummaryThe objective of this study was to determine the incidence of insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) in the population of Zagreb, Croatia, during 1988Croatia, during -1992. A centralized diabetes registry was the primary source of data, while secondary sources were used to assess ascertainment. A total of 282 new cases of IDDM were diagnosed in the study period, the primary and secondary sources identifying annually 93-100 % of the cases. The annual incidence rate ranged from 5.6 per 100,000 to 6.6 per 100,000. Early fatality in persons older than 50 years was the major cause of underascertainment. The incidence peaked in the 10-14 years age group (12.4 per 100,000), and remained stable after age 24years. Males had a significantly higher incidence in the 5-9 and 24-44 years age groups. In the 45-54 years age group, females had a significantly higher incidence. No seasonality was observed. Despite the war conditions in Croatia, the low overall IDDM incidence rates did not change significantly during the study period. [Diabetologia (1995) 38: 550-554]

Daily iodine intake has been investigated in 52 healthy children (5-14 years), 112 healthy adults and in 39 patients with nontoxic goiter from the area of Zagreb/Yugoslavia. Fourteen goitrous patients received 1-thyroxine 150 micrograms daily for at least three months before the examination. Iodine intake has been estimated on the basis of urinary iodine excretion (microgram I-/g creatinine) in the first morning specimen. Iodine excretion in nontreated goitrous patients (92 +/- 30; Mean +/- SD) was significantly lower than in healthy adults (112 +/- 38), while the value in treated goitrous patients (165 +/- 69) was significantly higher than that in nontreated goitrous and healthy adult subjects. The results suggest that Zagreb area, although classified as nonendemic, has borderline iodine intake, and that relative iodine deficiency is of importance in goiter formation. The authors plead for increased daily iodine intake through increased table salt iodisation from actual amount of 10 to 20 to 25 mg KI/kg salt in order to provide an average daily intake of 250 micrograms of iodine.