Affiliations: Institute for Transfusion Medicine and Immunohematology, University Clinic Charité, Medical School of the Humboldt University, D‐10098 Berlin, Germany Fax: ++30 2802 4040 | Department of Clinical Hemostaseology and Transfusion Medicine, University Clinics of Saarland, D‐66421 Homburg/Saar, Germany | Medical School of RWTH Aachen, Ophthalmic Hospital, Pauwelsstr. 30, D‐52057 Aachen, Germany
Note: [] Corresponding author: Dr. J. Koscielny, Institut für Transfusionsmedizin und Immunhämatologie, Universitätsklinikum Charité, Humboldt Universität, D‐10098 Berlin, Germany.
Abstract: In order to determine early changes in microcirculation and hemorheological parameters in diabetics, a cross‐sectional study was carried out with 273 children with diabetes mellitus type I during their vacation in a state country convalescent home for diabetic children and teenagers in Kaiserslautern. Compared to healthy children, typical changes of hemorheological variables as well as in the microcirculation of the skin and retina are observed in poorly controlled diabetic children. Morphological changes are obvious in capillary areas in form of marked capillary contortions and dilatations of venous branches, rigid erythrocytes, and hyperaggregable thrombocytes. An effort should be undertaken to normalize the pathologically changed parameters of blood fluidity and the microcirculation by an adequate control of blood glucose, and possibly by changes in dietary habits.
Keywords: Diabetes mellitus type I, microcirculation of skin and retina, blood fluidity
