Decreased Serum Insulin-like Growth Factor I during Puberty in Children with Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (IDDM)

Abstract

Previous reports concerning insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) in diabetics are conflicting. This study describes IGF-I in children with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) and healthy controls in relation to pubertal development. Sixty-six children participated (34 girls and 32 boys) of which 33 had IDDM. The mean age in the study population was 14.3 years, (range 7.1 to 19.7).

Serum IGF-I was significantly decreased in diabetics. Diabetic girls had a mean IGF-I of 28.3 (14.4; =SD) nmol/l compared with 42.8 (15.0) nmol/l in controls. In diabetic boys the result was 30.0 (16.0) nmol/l compared with 44.1 (23.4) in controls. Growth hormone was measured in only one fasting morning serum sample from each individual. There was no difference between girls, but diabetic boys had higher mean serum concentration of growth hormone than controls (3.5 (4.8) vs. 1.8 (1.5) μg/l respectively). Diabetic girls had delayed menarche, corresponding to a slightly delayed bone maturation.