Abstract / Summary
Abstract Background : Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a leading microvascular complication of diabetes mellitus and a major cause of preventable visual impairment. Although traditionally considered an adult disease, DR is increasingly recognized among children and adolescents with diabetes. Early detection and management are essential to prevent irreversible vision loss. However, in Sudan, limited data exist on the prevalence and risk factors of DR among pediatric diabetic patients. Method: A descriptive, cross-sectional, hospital-based study was conducted at the Diabetic Clinic of Kassala Teaching Hospital from August to December 2025. The study included 115 children aged over ten years diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. Data were collected using a structured, interview-administered questionnaire and clinical examination, including fundus evaluation. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS version 26 to assess frequencies and associations between diabetic retinopathy and relevant demographic and clinical factors. Result: The study included 115 participants, of whom 60.9% were females and 39.1% were males. The prevalence of diabetic retinopathy was 1.7%, with two cases identified: one mild non-proliferative DR and one moderate non-proliferative DR with clinically significant macular edema. Poor glycemic control was common, with 51.3% of participants having HbA1c levels above 10%. Most participants (96.5%) had never undergone previous eye screening. No statistically significant associations were found between diabetic retinopathy and glycemic control (p = 1.000), duration of diabetes (p = 0.534), age group (p = 0.119), or gender (p = 1.000). However, the very small number of DR cases substantially limited the statistical power to detect associations. Conclusion: The prevalence of DR in our study was low (1.7%). Nevertheless, DR was identified in two children, including one with severe NPDR and DME. The high frequency of suboptimal glycemic control and the very low uptake of previous retinal screening highlight important gaps in pediatric diabetes eye care. Larger prospective studies are needed to better characterize the burden and risk factors of DR among children with diabetes in Sudan.