OBJECTIVE: Gastrointestinal (GI) symptoms of pediatric type 1 diabetes mellitus is commonly observed. The objective of this study is to determine association between GI symptoms and glycemic control.

METHODS: A cross-sectional study was done in 31 child with tipe 1 diabetes mellitus,  recruited from endocrinology outpatient clinics of Dr. Soetomo Hospital from March - May 2019. The glycemic control was evaluated from the HbA1C serum level, assessed from medical records. GI symptoms observed from patients complaint that recorded in medical records, and classified as bloating, nausea and vomiting, epigastric pain, loss of appetite, and early satiety. The statistical analysis using Mann-Whitney test, with p < 0.05 being significant.

RESULTS: There were 31 included in this study. Boy 17/31, girl 14/31 with mean age 11 years old, the younger age was 3 years and the older was 18 years old. Mean HBA1C serum levels was 9 SD. Most of GI Symptoms were early satiety 67.7%, nausea and vomit 64.5%,bloating 61.3%. Several GI symptoms associated with HBA1C level consist of early satiety (21/31 vs 10/31; P<0.0001), nausea and vomiting (20/31 vs 11/31; P= 0.002), loss of appetite (17/31 vs 14/31;P=0.005). Bloating and epigastric pain didn’t associated with HBA1C level.

CONCLUSION: HBA1C level was associated with several GI symptoms. Glycemic control is important in relieve GI Symptoms in T1DM children