Growth status of children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Growth parameters are important indicators of a child's overall health, and they are influenced by factors like blood glucose control in diabetic children. Data on growth parameters of Indian diabetic children is scarce. This retrospective, cross-sectional, case control study was conducted at diabetes clinic for children at a tertiary care center at Pune, to study growth parameters of diabetic children in comparison with age-gender matched healthy controls and evaluate effect of different insulin regimes and age at diagnosis of diabetes on growth. MATERIALS AND METHODS: ONE TWENTY FIVE DIABETIC CHILDREN (BOYS 50) and age gender matched healthy controls were enrolled. All subjects underwent anthropometric measurements (standing height and weight). Mean height (HAZ), weight (WAZ) and body mass index (BAZ) for age Z scores were calculated. Diabetes control was evaluated by measuring glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1C). Statistical analysis was done by SPSS version 12. RESULTS: Mean age of diabetic children and age gender matched controls was 9.7 ± 4.4 years. Diabetic children were shorter (128.3 ± 24.3 cm vs. 133.6 ± 24.7 cm) and lighter (29.2 kg ± 15.3 vs. 31.3 ± 15.4 kg). HAZ (-1.1 ± 1.2 vs. -0.2 ± 0.8) and WAZ (-1.2 ± 1.3 vs. -0.7 ± 1.3) were significantly lower in diabetic children (P < 0.05). Children on both insulin regimes (intensive and conventional) were shorter than controls (HAZ-intensive -1.0 ± 1.0, conventional -1.3 ± 1.3, control -0.2 ± 0.8, P < 0.05). HAZ of children who were diagnosed at <3 years of age was the least (-1.6 ± 1) amongst all diabetic children while those diagnosed after puberty (>14 years) were comparable to healthy controls. CONCLUSIONS: Growth was compromised in diabetic children in comparison to controls. Children diagnosed at younger age need more attention to optimize growth.