Dietary intake and glycosylated haemoglobin in children followed in diabetic clinics in Kinshasa, 2024

Background Glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) greater than 6.5% exposes to complications related to type 1 diabetes (T1D). Adequate nutrition of children with T1D under insulin therapy lowers HbA1c. The objective of this study was to evaluate dietary intake and HbA1c among children followed up in diabetic clinics in Kinshasa. Methods A cross-sectional study design was adopted in examining diabetic children under 19 years old and who are being followed up in the healthcare centres in Kinshasa. Caloric consumption and dietary balance, as dietary intake variables, were obtained by 24-hours recall from 113 children exhaustively selected. The data were analysed on SPSS version 26. The Mann-Whitney U test helped to compare consumed calories between children with HbA1c < 6.5% and those with HbA1c ≥ 6.5%. The Chi-square was used to test association between dietary intake variables and HbA1c. Results About 50% of the children consumed 2053 (Interquartile range=1085) Kilocalories. Calories came from 55% of carbohydrate, 13% of protein and 32% of fat. About 89.4% of children had HbA1c greater than 6.5%. Caloric intake was statistically the same between children with HbA1c < 6.5% and those with HbA1c ≥ 6.5%. There was no association between dietary intake variables and HbA1c (p>0.05). Conclusions HbA1c levels of children with T1D are not influenced by diets. Dietary intake alone may not be sufficient to control HbA1c levels. Therefore, further research is needed to explore non-nutritional factors.