Early development of decreased β-cell insulin secretion in children and adolescents with hemoglobin H disease and its relationship with levels of anemia.

Decreased β-cell insulin secretion is highly prevalent among children and adolescents with Hb H disease, and it is associated with levels of functional anemia at baseline, but not with the type of Hb H disease. This result warrants heightened awareness among hematologists due to potentially increased risk of DM later in life.