Screening Children for Complications of Diabetes and Associated Disorders

Screening Children for Complications of Diabetes and Associated Disorders

Complication

Begin Screening

Screening Frequency

Method

Type 1 diabetes

Hypertension

Upon diagnosis

Every visit

Blood pressure measurement

Dyslipidemia

Soon after diagnosis (once diabetes stabilized), age recommendations vary:

  • ADA: ≥ 10 years old

  • ISPAD: ≥ 11 years

ADA: If LDL ≤ 100 mg/dL (2.59 mmol/L), repeat at 9 to 11 years; then, if < 100 mg/dL, repeat every 3 years

If abnormal, optimize glycemia control and nutritional therapy.

For children > 10 years, if after 6 months LDL > 160 mg/dL (4.14 mmol/L) or > 130 mg/dL (3.37 mmol/L) with cardiovascular risk factors, initiate statin therapy.

ISPAD: Every 3 years if results are normal

LDL, HDL, and triglyceride levels, nonfasting acceptable initially

Kidney disease

After 2 to 5 years of diabetes, start at puberty or at age 10 to 11 years (whichever is earlier)

If normal, annually

ADA: If abnormal, repeat with confirmation in 2 of 3 samples over 6 months

Urine albumin:creatinine ratio

Neuropathy

After 2 to 5 years of diabetes, start at puberty or at age 10 to 11 years (whichever is earlier)

At regular visits, at least annually

Foot examination with foot pulses, pinprick, 10-g monofilament sensation tests, vibration, and ankle reflexes

Retinopathy

After 2 to 5 years of diabetes, start at puberty or at age 10 to 11 years (whichever is earlier)

2 to 4 years

Dilated examination by an ophthalmologist or other trained, experienced clinician

Celiac disease

Upon diagnosis

2 years

and

ADA: 5 years after diagnosis

ISPAD: every 2–5 years

Celiac antibodies (tissue transglutaminase IgA if total IgA is normal; tissue transglutaminase IgG and anti-gliadin antibodies if total IgA is low)

Thyroid disease

Upon diagnosis

1 to 2 years if thyroid antibodies are negative, sooner if symptoms of hypothyroidism develop or thyroid antibodies are positive

At diagnosis: TSH and free T4 levels, thyroid antibodies (antithyroglobulin and antithyroid peroxidase)

Serial monitoring: TSH with reflex to free T4 (if TSH is abnormal)

Psychosocial issues

Upon diagnosis

At least annually

Evaluation for diabetes distress, depression, disordered eating

Type 2 diabetes

Hypertension

Upon diagnosis

Every visit

Blood pressure measurement

Dyslipidemia

Upon diagnosis

1 year

Same as type 1

Kidney disease (nephropathy)

Upon diagnosis

1 year

Same as type 1

Neuropathy

Upon diagnosis

At regular visits, at least annually

Same as type 1

Retinopathy

Upon diagnosis

1 year

Same as type 1

Psychosocial issues

Upon diagnosis

At least annually

Same as type 1

Obstructive sleep apnea

Not specified

ADA: At each visit

By history, with referral for sleep evaluation if indicated

Metabolic dysfunction-associated liver disease

At diagnosis

ADA: 1 year

ALT, AST

Data from American Diabetes Association Professional Practice Committee. 14. Children and Adolescents: Standards of Care in Diabetes-2025. Diabetes Care. 2025;48(1 Suppl 1):S283-S305. doi:10.2337/dc25-S014 and from Limbert C, Tinti D, Malik F, et al. ISPAD Clinical Practice Consensus Guidelines 2022: The delivery of ambulatory diabetes care to children and adolescents with diabetes. Pediatr Diabetes. 23(8):1243-1269, 2022. doi: 10.1111/pedi.13417.

ADA = American Diabetes Association; ALT = alanine aminotransferase; AST = aspartate aminotransferase; HDL = high-density lipoprotein; LDL = low-density lipoprotein; ISPAD = International Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Diabetes; free T4 = free serum thyroxine; TSH = thyroid-stimulating hormone.

Data from American Diabetes Association Professional Practice Committee. 14. Children and Adolescents: Standards of Care in Diabetes-2025. Diabetes Care. 2025;48(1 Suppl 1):S283-S305. doi:10.2337/dc25-S014 and from Limbert C, Tinti D, Malik F, et al. ISPAD Clinical Practice Consensus Guidelines 2022: The delivery of ambulatory diabetes care to children and adolescents with diabetes. Pediatr Diabetes. 23(8):1243-1269, 2022. doi: 10.1111/pedi.13417.

ADA = American Diabetes Association; ALT = alanine aminotransferase; AST = aspartate aminotransferase; HDL = high-density lipoprotein; LDL = low-density lipoprotein; ISPAD = International Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Diabetes; free T4 = free serum thyroxine; TSH = thyroid-stimulating hormone.