Metabolic relations of serum lipids and lipoproteins in diabetic children

Serum lipids and lipoproteins of 29 insulin dependent diabetic children have been determined and related to the metabolic status of the patients. The findings were compared to results obtained in 30 healthy children. The diabetic children showing unsatisfactory metabolic parameters had significantly higher total lipid and total triglyceride levels than did the healthy children (p less than 0.01). All diabetic children, independently of their metabolic status, exhibited an increased low density lipoprotein cholesterol level (p less than 0.01). On the other hand, high density lipoprotein cholesterol levels found in diabetics did not differ from normal values and showed no relationship with their metabolic status. Prevention of vascular complications of diabetes must be started in childhood by attentive care directed to all details of the pathomechanism.

Carbenicillin half-life in children with early diabetes mellitus

It has been shown earlier by the authors that the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and the penicillin clearance are increased in short-term childhood diabetes. Recently, GFR and carbenicillin half-life (T/2) were determined in insulin-treated children with a diabetes duration of 1-5 years, and in a healthy control group. An inverse relationship, between carbenicillin T/2 and GFR was found in both groups. The GFR was significantly higher, and the carbeniciliin T/2 significantly lower in diabetic children than in healthy controls. There was no correlation to blood sugar levels. It is suggested that the accelerated elimination of penicillin and carbenicillin in early diabetes necessitates higher dosages of these drugs for an adequate therapeutic effect.