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Low serum C4 concentrations in type-1 diabetes mellitus

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Abstract

Serum levels of complement factors C3 and C4 were investigated in 64 insulin-dependent diabetic children and 52 healthy controls. The mean value of C4 was significantly lower in diabetic than in control subjects (27.99±8.01 vs 32.03±8.91 mg/dl; P<0.01). Sixteen out of 64 children had serum C4 levels below the normal range; 6 out of these 11 patients had microalbuminuria. This study demonstrates low serum levels of C4 in insulin-dependent diabetes; this reduction is not related to the duration nor to the degree of metabolic control. There is a high prevalence of microalbuminuria in patients with a low C4 concentration.

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Abbreviations

AER:

albumin excretion rate

ADTA:

edetic acid

HPLC:

high performance liquid chromatography

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Clinica Pediatrica, Ospedale Pediatrico, Via Nicolini, 11, I-66100, Chieti, Italy

    F. Chiarelli, A. Verrotti, G. La Penna & G. Morgese

Authors
  1. F. Chiarelli
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  2. A. Verrotti
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  3. G. La Penna
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  4. G. Morgese
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Chiarelli, F., Verrotti, A., La Penna, G. et al. Low serum C4 concentrations in type-1 diabetes mellitus. Eur J Pediatr 147, 197–198 (1988). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00442223

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/BF00442223

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