PARIETAL CELL ANTIBODIES AND GASTRIC SECRETION IN CHILDREN WITH DIABETES MELLITUS

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Abstract
Circulating parietal cell antibodies (PCA) were found in 8 (5.4%) of 147 diabetic children screened. Both sexes were equally represented, but the titers were higher in girls. No clear relationship between the presence of these antibodies and age or the duration of diabetes was observed. Gastric studies were performed on 8 children with PCA (group A) and 41 without PCA (group B). Both basal (BAO) and maximal acid output (MAO) were significantly (P < 0.05) lower and fasting serum gastrin elevated (P < 0.01) in group A as compared with the control group. Two patients were achlorhydric. In group B, 17 patients of the 41 studied had hyposecretion, and 1 had achlorhydria. The result became most obvious in the group with a duration of diabetes over 10 yr, where MAO was significantly diminished (P < 0.05). Gastric morphology revealed atrophic gastritis in 3 patients from 7 biopsies in group A and 1 of 5 biopsies for severe hyposecretion in group B. Two other children in group A had superficial gastritis. Serum ferritin levels decreased along with the duration of diabetes. Those with gastritic mucosa had the lowest values.