Introduction:

in type 1 diabetes mellitus (DM1) there is autoimmune destruction of pancreatic β cells with metabolic decompensation. In the first months of starting treatment, a period of partial remission or “honeymoon” may appear, in which there is a decrease in exogenous insulin requirements.

Objective:

to identify factors associated with partial remission in pediatric patients with DM1, during the first 12 months after diagnosis.

Material and methods:

retrospective study of a cohort of pediatric patients initially diagnosed with DM1, in a private hospital in Mexico City. We analyzed the clinical characteristics at diagnosis, subsequent management, and the stay in partial remission during the first 12 months after diagnosis.

Results:

forty-four patients with a median age of nine years were included, 25 were male (56.8%). 70.5% (31/44) presented partial remission at some point during follow-up, but for 12 months only 22 (50%) maintained partial remission. Factors associated with losing partial remission at 12 months were: age less than six years (OR: 6.9, 95% CI 1.06-44.9) and do not perform continuous blood glucose monitoring (OR = 6.7, 95% CI 1.3-34.4).

Conclusion:

during the first year of treatment, up to 70% of patients with a recent diagnosis of DM1 may have partial remission. Better blood glucose monitoring and being a patient older than six years are associated with partial remission.