Role of neopterin as a biochemical marker for peripheral neuropathy in pediatric patients with type 1 diabetes: Relation to nerve conduction studies.

Background: Neopterin, a marker of inflammation and cellular immune response, is elevated in conditions of T-cell or macrophages activation. Diabetic peripheral neuropathy (DPN) is associated with inflammatory/immune processes and therefore, we hypothesized that neopterin could be used as a marker of neuropathy in type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM).

Aim: To measure neopterin levels in children and adolescents with T1DM and assess its possible relation to DPN and nerve conduction studies (NCS).