Wurm M, et al. - Because retinal vessel analysis is a unique method for examining microvascular changes (play a key role in the development of diabetes complications) in brain-derived vessels, researchers looked at the relationship between HbA1c and retinal arteriolar narrowing in type 1 diabetes children. For this investigation, 67 pediatric and adolescent type 1 diabetes subjects and 58 healthy control persons had non-mydriatic retinal photography of both eyes. Between type 1 diabetic children and healthy controls, retinal vessel diameter did not differ. However, higher HbA1c levels were independently associated with arteriolar narrowing. With each percent increase in HbA1c, an arteriolar narrowing of 5.4 μm was noted. Wider retinal arterioles were associated with longer duration of diabetes. Microvascular arteriolar changes already occur in childhood and may indicate subclinical atherosclerosis and increased risk of complications of diabetes later in life.