Aim: To estimate the accurate incidence and prevalence of permanent neonatal diabetes mellitus, and to determine the clinical profile of this condition in the Sultanate of Oman.
Methods: All children diagnosed as having permanent neonatal diabetes mellitus between 1991 and 1995 in Oman were included in the study.
Results: The mean incidence was 2.2 per 100 000 live births/year and the prevalence among under 5s during 1995 was 2.0/100 000. Intrauterine growth retardation was noted in all (mean birthweight 1.86 kg), and diabetic ketoacidosis (mean plasma glucose 34.4 (SD 8.7) mmol/l, mean pH 7.17 (SD 0.09) in 80%. Hypertriglyceridaemia (mean serum triglyceride 19.06 (6.13) mmol/) was constant. No infant had clinical or immunological evidence of congenital viral infections. None had C-peptide excretion or circulating islet cell antibody during diagnosis or follow up. The other important features were parental consanguinity in all, HLA DR3/DR4 association in 80%, development of autoimmune hypothyroidism in one and observation of autoimmune disorders (insulin dependent diabetes mellitus and Hashimoto's thyroiditis) in family members.
Conclusions: These findings strongly suggest an immune mediated aetiology for diabetes mellitus. The reported incidence of permanent insulin dependent neonatal diabetes mellitus in Oman is the highest in the world.