The incidence and prevalence of type-1 diabetes mellitus.
AIM
To determine the incidence, prevalence of type-1 diabetes mellitus (DM) and the presence of islet-cell antibodies (ICAs) in people of African ancestry in the Bahamas.


METHOD
Hospital records of type-1 DM were reviewed. Seventeen consecutive patients had postmeal C-peptide and ICA determined.


RESULTS
The incidence and prevalence of type-1 DM in the Bahamas were: incidence--10.1/100,000, age 0-14 years; and prevalence--31/100,000 age 0-24 years. Only two out of 17 (11.8%) patients had ICAs.


CONCLUSION
Type-1 DM is common in children of African ancestry in the Bahamas. ICAs were absent in the majority of the patients.