Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus in African population: epidemiology and management challenges.

Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus (T1DM) is a growing concern worldwide; while there has been a greatimprovement in the knowledge, epidemiology and management of this condition in the developed worlds,there has been little or no improvement in sub-Saharan Africa. The true burden of this disease is not evenknown, but a difference in the pattern and outcome of T1DM in the sub-Saharan Africa compared to thewestern World seems to be present. Moreover, much of the available data is not population-based and is oflimited value for making generalizations about Diabetes in children of Sub-Saharan Africa. Despite the limitations,there is evidence that these populations may be important for studying the aetiology and natural historyof Type 1 diabetes. Effective management and/or prevention of diabetes and its complications in Sub-Saharan African children should adopt multidisciplinary approaches. In order to improve care for diabetespatients in developing countries, specialized clinics need to be established. (www.actabiomedica.it)