Risk of retinopathy in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus before 2 years of age

PURPOSE: To assess the risk of diabetic retinopathy (DR) in children with type I diabetes mellitus (T1DM) diagnosed at a very early age. DESIGN: Observational case series. METHODS: The records of 51 patients were identified through the diabetes database of the Division of Pediatric Endocrinology and Metabolism at Washington University School of Medicine. The patients were diagnosed with T1DM before 2 years of age and were monitored for at least 5 years after diagnosis. The results of ophthalmic screening examinations were reviewed. RESULTS: Fifty-one patients were identified, 33 of whom were monitored for > 8 years. None of the patients developed DR. CONCLUSIONS: Children have a negligible risk of developing DR during the first 10 years of life, even if they are diagnosed before age 2. These results indicate that screening for DR is not necessary before age 10.