Abstract

Objective: The aim of this study was to ascertain if there are differences in the development and linear growth between a group of diabetic children who had been receiving insulin pigment and healthy children.

Methods: A total of 57 Chinese children with type 1 diabetes diagnosed at the age from 6 to 10 years old (26 boys and 31 girls) were included in the study. Their height and weight and development conditions were recorded until they reached their 18th birthday.

Results: Diabetic children were taller than healthy children at the onset of diabetes, even though there was no significant difference between them [male height standard deviation score (SDS): 0.34±0.93, female height SDS: 0.38±0.50]. When they reached their final height, they were slightly shorter than the healthy group. However, there were still no significant differences between these two groups (male height SDS: –0.42±0.95, female height SDS: –0.60±0.98). The median age at onset of puberty, 12.62 years in boys and 11.13 years in girls, was significantly delayed in diabetic boys compared to 10.55 years in healthy boys and 9.2 years in healthy girls. The median age at menarche in diabetic girls (14.15 years) was also delayed compared with 12.27 years in healthy girls. The majority of these diabetic children were thinner than the healthy children when they were diagnosed [male body mass index (BMI): 14.45±1.35 kg/m²vs. 16.08±0.59 kg/m², t=–0.63, p<0.05; female BMI: 13.50±1.87 kg/m²vs. 15.46±0.45 kg/m², t=–6.67, p<0.05]; however, as they reached their final height, they became fatter, especially the girls (male BMI: 21.43±1.62 kg/m²vs. 20.8±0.00 kg/m², t=1.97, p>0.05; female BMI: 23.95±2.37 kg/m²vs. 20.3±0.00 kg/m², t=8.60, p<0.05).

Conclusion: Even with well-controlled glucose levels, the development of children with diabetes who had been receiving insulin pigment were still adversely affected. However, linear growth had only been slightly affected. All patients, especially girls, became fatter when they reached their final height.