• Sultan A Meo, Metib Alotaibi, Narmeen Shaikh, and Reem AlKhalifah.
• From the Department of Physiology (Meo); from the Department of Pediatrics (AlKhalifah), College of Medicine, King Saud University, and from the University Diabetes Center (Alotaibi, Shaikh, AlKhalifah), King Saud University Medical City, King Saud University, Riyadh, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia.
• Saudi Med J. 2024 Nov 1; 45 (11): 125312591253-1259.

ObjectivesTo investigate the cognitive performance of Saudi children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) compared to matched control groups.MethodsA total of 64 participants (32 T1DM patients and 32 control), matched with age, gender, ethnicity, education, and body mass index were recruited. Cognitive functions were investigated using a highly reliable and valid "Cambridge neuropsychological test automated battery". The attention switching task (AST) and choice reaction time (CRT) test were carried out to evaluate the cognitive functions.ResultsThe cognitive test parameters AST mean correct latency, AST mean correct latency (congruent), AST mean correct latency (incongruent), and CRT mean correct latency were significantly delayed in the T1DM group compared to their control group (p<0.0001). Moreover, the control group did significantly better on the cognitive test parameters AST and CRT than the T1DM children and adolescents with hemoglobin A1c (HbA1C) ≥8% group (p<0.01).ConclusionThe findings demonstrate a delay in cognitive performance among children and adolescents with T1DM. Importantly, elevated HbA1C levels and duration of disease were associated with reduced cognitive functions. The present study findings highlight the importance of stringent glycemic management in children and adolescents with T1DM. The findings can support physicians and policymakers not only to prevent microvascular complications but also to mitigate potential cognitive deficits among children and adolescents with T1DM.Copyright: © Saudi Medical Journal.

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