August 30, 2002
Other Illnesses
Question from Elkins Park, Pennsylvania, USA:
My three and a half year old grandson, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes two months ago, and today he was also diagnosed with childhood nephrotic syndrome. Is there a connection between the kidney disease and the diabetes? Would it be a good idea for my daughter to consult a specialist in immune deficiency disease to see if there is some kind of breakdown in my grandson’s system?
Answer:
It’s very rare to have both type�1 diabetes and nephrotic syndrome. I have been caring for children with diabetes for more than 25 years and have never seen this in such a young child.
I would suggest that your grandchild be seen by a pediatric diabetologist and a pediatric nephrologist so that they can work together to see if there is any link at all, coordinate treatment, etc. These are two complicated illnesses, certainly requiring very special expertise.
SB
