Children with recurring acute or chronic pancreatitis are at risk for pancreatitis related diabetes mellitus (DM). Pancreatic endocrine and exocrine concerns are managed by different subspecialists. Our center has a unique pediatric pancreatitis multidisciplinary clinic (MDC) with pediatric gastroenterology, endocrinology, pain, and nutrition experts. We obtain point-of-care (POC) HbA1c during clinic check-in for immediate DM screening. Our study describes the utility of POC HbA1c testing in our MDC. We analyzed a retrospective chart review of MDC patients from 2018-2023 with a diagnosis of pancreatitis and DM (n=27). Twelve were diagnosed with DM prior to presentation and 2 presented after total pancreatectomy with islet autotransplantation (TPIAT). Eight patients eventually developed DM and 5 later underwent TPIAT resulting in DM. We evaluated baseline characteristics at presentation to our MDC and longitudinal follow up. Of the 12 patients with previously diagnosed DM, 42% were Hispanic/Latino, 50% were female. On presentation to the MDC, patients were 15.4±2.1 years old with BMI 23.2±4.0 kg/m2 and HbA1c 9.6±2.9%. Eight patients developed DM within 1.1±1.2 years of follow up. Six were diagnosed by POC HbA1c in our MDC. Of all whom developed DM, 88% were Hispanic/Latino, 88% were female. DM was diagnosed at 14.3±1.6 years old with BMI 34.5±4.8 kg/m2 and HbA1c 8.5±2.5%. Of our 27 patients with DM, 4 had type 1 DM autoantibodies. At most recent visit HbA1c was 8.9±3.2%. DM treatment involved oral agents (15%), insulin (85%) and nutrition counseling for all patients. Total daily dose of insulin was 0.75±0.53 u/kg/day and 48% of patients used continuous glucose monitors. Instituting POC HbA1c screening in pancreatitis clinic identifies patients with new onset DM, supporting multidisciplinary care. Despite intensive care, HbA1c for these patients remains above guideline goals. More research is needed in providing DM care for children with pancreatitis.
E. Vargas: None. J. Mark: None. G. P. Forlenza: Advisory Panel; Medtronic, Consultant; Dexcom, Inc., Insulet Corporation, Tandem Diabetes Care, Inc., Lilly Diabetes, Research Support; Medtronic, Abbott, Dexcom, Inc., Insulet Corporation, Tandem Diabetes Care, Inc. T. M. Triolo: None.