Purpose: To determine the frequency and etiological distribution of genital infections among children and adolescents with T1D in the Pleven region.
Material: The study was performed at the Department of Pediatrics, University Hospital -Pleven. It involved 78 patients (33 boys and 45 girls) with T1D at the age of 11.9±0.8 years, admitted from March 2013 to March 2014. They were on an intensive insulin therapy with recombinant human insulin or analog insulins.
Methods:
Results: Out of the 78 studied children, 34 (43.5%) had clinical signs of genital infection (GI). The mean level of their HbA1c was 11.25±0.65%. Positive cultures were found in 28/78 (36%). Most GI were caused by fungi - in 15/28 cases, followed by bacteria - 9/28 and mixed fungal-bacterial flora in 4/28 cases. The main fungal pathogens cultured was Candida albicans in 10/15 cases, followed by Candida tropicalis - in 3/15. Bacteria were presented by Streptococcus agalactiae in 3/9 cases, Enterococcus faecalis - 3/9, Staphylococcus aureus - 2/9 and Escherichia coli in only 1 child.
Conclusions: Our data confirm badly controlled T1D as a predisposing factor for genital infections in children, predominantly with Candida albicans, which can sometimes be associated with bacterial pathogens. This requires external genitalia inspection and microbiological testing for early diagnosis, and adequate treatment to prevent further complications.
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