Linear Growth in Children and Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus

Insulin-like growth factor 1 and sex hormones for assessment of anthropometric and pubertal growth of Egyptian children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus (single center study)

BACKGROUND

This study aimed to assess the anthropometric measures and pubertal growth of children and adolescents with Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and to detect risk determinants affecting these measures and their link to glycemic control.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Two hundred children and adolescents were assessed using anthropometric measurements. Those with short stature were further evaluated using insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1), bone age, and thyroid profile, while those with delayed puberty were evaluated using sex hormones and pituitary gonadotropins assay.

RESULTS

We found that 12.5% of our patients were short (height SDS < -2) and IGF-1 was less than -2 SD in 72% of them. Patients with short stature had earlier age of onset of diabetes, longer duration of diabetes, higher HbA1C and urinary albumin/creatinine ratio compared to those with normal stature (p < 0.05). Additionally, patients with delayed puberty had higher HbA1c and dyslipidemia compared to those with normal puberty (p < 0.05). The regression analysis revealed that factors associated with short stature were; age at diagnosis, HbA1C > 8.2, and albumin/creatinine ratio > 8 (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

Children with uncontrolled T1DM are at risk of short stature and delayed puberty. Diabetes duration and control seem to be independent risk factors for short stature.

Final height in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus: A systematic review and meta-analysis

PURPOSE

Considering the high prevalence of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) together with the importance of improved physical growth and the significance of promoting healthcare quality among T1DM children, this meta-analysis aims to determine mean final height in this population group.

METHODS

We systematically searched PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Scopus, and Cochrane databases for all studies published until May 2023 and reviewed references of published articles. Meta-analytic procedures were used to estimate the effect size (mean final height Z-score) among T1DM children in a random effects model. Significance values, weighted effect sizes, 95% CIs, and tests of homogeneity of variance were calculated. The included studies consisted of data from 3274 patients.

RESULTS

The mean final height Z-score for T1DM children was -0.201 (n = 25 studies, 95% CI: -0.389, -0.013; I2 = 97%), -0.262 in males (n = 20 studies, 95% CI: -0.539, 0.015, I2 = 97.1%), and -0.218 in females (n = 18 studies, 95% CI: -0.436, 0, I2 = 94.2%). The non-significant negative association between age at diagnosis, HbA1c levels, and final height Z-score is suggested by the findings of the univariate meta-regression.

CONCLUSION

Our findings indicated that children with T1DM have impaired linear growth and that monitoring of growth in these patient populations is an important issue in the management of T1DM. Due to a scarcity of studies providing data on the relationship between uncontrolled diabetes (increased HbA1c) and early diagnosis and final height, further investigation is warranted to determine whether there is indeed a correlation. Consequently, any conclusion regarding the association between uncontrolled diabetes (elevated HbA1c), early diagnosis of T1DM, and the increased risk of impaired linear growth or final height remains uncertain.

Clinical and sociodemographic factors associated with the quality of life of children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes

OBJECTIVE

To analyze clinical and sociodemographic factors associated with the health-related quality of life of children and adolescents with type 1 Diabetes Mellitus.

METHOD

A quantitative, cross-sectional and analytical study, developed in a municipality in northeastern Brazil, between March and September 2021, with 81 children/adolescents with type 1 Diabetes Mellitus and their guardians/caregivers. A questionnaire containing sociodemographic and clinical variables and two quality of life instruments were used. Descriptive and inferential analysis was carried out.

RESULTS

Adolescents whose parents had a family income greater than a minimum wage had a lower prevalence of impaired quality of life when compared to those with a lower income. Adolescents with time since diagnosis of less than four years had a satisfactory quality of life, and children aged 8 to 12 years who self-administered insulin had a lower prevalence of high quality of life compared to those who did not.

CONCLUSION

Adolescents with a family income of less than a minimum wage, diagnosis time of more than four years and children aged 8-12 who self-administer insulin need greater professional support to have a better quality of life.

Effects of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus on Linear Growth: A Comprehensive Review

Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) has a significant effect on the growth of children. The disease has a negative effect on growth when considered in relation to the time period and metabolic control. Studies in this review have suggested debilitated growth in children with T1DM and have a few anomalies in the growth hormone (GH)-insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) axis when compared to fit children. Some studies show that children with T1DM were taller before the onset of the disease and during early diagnosis. Moreover, the linear growth depends on the interaction between the gonadotropin hormone, luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle-stimulating hormone (FSH), and sex steroid hormones axis and GH-IGF-1; there's a rise in GH during puberty, which has an effect on the estrogen and testosterone, which leads to the pulsatile secretion of GH, this increment leads to insulin resistance. These studies suggest short stature in girls, and some suggest in both. The final height in boys was unchanged, but a slight decline was observed in girls. This review aims to provide the latest understanding of impaired height in children with T1DM. The most accepted and effective treatment of impaired growth is the administration of long-acting insulin or continuous rapid-acting insulin. However, height was affected by the administration of good basal insulin at puberty and was unaffected by the continuous subcutaneous insulin injection. Hence, new technologies are the therapeutic regimen in children, especially the prepubertal age group; it will be interesting to see their effects on growth patterns in these children with T1DM.

Diet and Glycemic Index in Children with Type 1 Diabetes

In children with type 1 diabetes, a healthy lifestyle is important to control postprandial glycemia and to avoid hyperglycemic peaks that worsen the inflammatory state of vessels and tissues. Glycemic index and glycemic load are two important indexes which assess the quality and quantity of foods consumed during meals. The main macronutrients of the diet have a different effect on postprandial blood glucose levels, so it is important that diabetic children consume foods which determine a slower and steadier glycemic peak. In this review, we present the results of the most recent studies carried out in the pediatric population with T1D, whose aim was to analyze the effects of low-glycemic-index foods on glycemic control. The results are promising and demonstrate that diets promoting low-glycemic-index foods guarantee a greater glycemic stability with a reduction in postprandial hyperglycemic peaks. However, one of the main limitations is represented by the poor adherence of children to a healthy diet. In order to obtain satisfactory results, a possibility might be to ensure a balanced intake of low-, moderate- and high-glycemic-index foods, preferring those with a low glycemic index and limiting the consumption of the high- and moderate-glycemic-index types.

Role of glucose variability on linear growth in children with type 1 diabetes

OBJECTIVE

Linear growth is impaired in children with type 1 diabetes (T1D) and poor metabolic control. A good metabolic control is a key therapeutic goal to prevent vascular complications and also to ensure appropriate anthropometric development during childhood. In this study, we aimed to identify and characterize the effects of glycemic variability on linear growth in children with T1D.

METHODS

Data from 144 prepubertal children with T1D were evaluated. Anthropometric measurements (weight, weight-SDS, height, height-SDS, BMI, BMI-SDS) were collected and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) was measured at admission and every 4 months over a 2-year period. Glycemic variability indexes (glycemic coefficient of variation (CV), glycemic CV percentage (CV%), and the product between HbA1c-mean and HbA1c-SDS/100 (M*SDS-HbA1c/100)) were calculated. According to height-SDS changes after 2 years of follow-up, the study population was divided into three tertile groups and differences across groups were investigated for variables of interest.

RESULTS

The three groups were similar in terms of age, gender, and follow-up period. After 2 years, all prepubertal children showed a significant positive trend of anthropometric data. Across the three tertile groups, HbA1c-SDS, CV, CV%, and M*SDS-HbA1c significantly decreased from the first to the third tertile of height-SDS. During follow-up, children with lower Δheight-SDS values reported higher values of HbA1c-SDS, CV, CV%, and M*SDS-HbA1c than subjects with higher linear growth.

CONCLUSIONS

Glycemic variability correlates with linear growth in children with T1D. Low glycemic variability indexes were reported in higher height-SDS tertiles. Δheight-SDS is inversely correlated with glycemic CV, CV%, and M*SDS-HbA1c.

Preventable Prenatal and Neonatal Risk Factors of Type 1 Diabetes in Childhood

Background

Childhood type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is an autoimmune disease which is increasing in incidence, but little is known about the events that trigger the autoimmune process. Most of the time, these processes begin in prenatal and natal periods; therefore, this study aimed to investigate the prenatal and neonatal risk factors of T1DM in childhood.

Methods

This case-control study has been performed on children with T1DM who referred to the 17^th Shahrivar children's hospital. The control group consisted of healthy siblings of the case group. Data were gathered using a form that included maternal and neonatal characteristics. Data were reported by descriptive statistics in SPSS 19. To investigate the effect of quantitative and qualitative variables on the development of T1DM, logistic regression and Chi-square tests were used, respectively.

Results

Birth weight, birth height, and maternal weight gain during pregnancy had a significant relationship with T1DM (odds ratio [OR] = 1.23, 2.57, and 1.14, respectively). In addition, there was a significant relationship between gestational hypertension (OR = 5.27), neonatal jaundice (OR = 3.42), cesarean section (OR = 2.06), and being non-first-born child (OR = 2.32) and T1DM. Also, premature rupture of membrane, maternal urinary tract infection, and nonexclusive breastfeeding had a significant association with T1DM (OR = 4.37, 3.94, and 2.30, respectively). There were no statistically significant differences between maternal age, sex, neonatal respiratory disease, prematurity, and neonatal infections and T1DM (P > 0.05).

Conclusions

Prenatal and neonatal risk factors can have a significant role in the occurrence of TIDM. Therefore, considering these risk factors can have a preventive effect on T1DM.

Optic disc morphology and peripapillary atrophic changes in diabetic children and adults without diabetic retinopathy or visual impairment

PURPOSE

To investigate the changes in optic disc morphology and peripapillary atrophy (PPA) in diabetic children and adults without diabetic retinopathy (DR) or visual impairment (VI).

METHODS

This cross-sectional study included two groups of subjects. One group included 91 children with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and 86 healthy children, and the other group included 444 adults with T2DM and 442 healthy controls. The optic disc parameters including major and minor axis lengths, optic disc ovality (ODO), optic disc tilt, optic disc area and β-PPA area were analysed in all subjects. Optic disc rotation and the Bergmeister papilla were analysed only in children. Patients with diabetes and healthy controls were compared in each group of the study population.

RESULTS

In both groups, patients with diabetes and healthy controls were matched for age, sex and axial length (AL). Among the children, β-PPA area was significantly smaller in those with diabetes (0.29 ± 0.43 mm² ) than in the healthy controls (0.46 ± 0.58 mm² , p < 0.05). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that diagnosis of DM was negatively associated with β-PPA area. Longer AL and higher body mass index (BMI) were positively associated with β-PPA area. Among adults, ODO was significantly larger in those with diabetes (1.14 ± 0.09) than in healthy controls (1.12 ± 0.06, p < 0.05). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that the BMI and DM were potential risk factors affecting ODO.

CONCLUSION

Hyperglycaemia had different effects on the optic disc in children and adults. Unlike in healthy controls, hyperglycaemia had an impact on the peripapillary tissue in children and on optic disc shape in adults before DR and VI development.

Oral Health Status of Children Living with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus

Background: Diabetes is a well-known predisposing factor for oral diseases, so prevention in an early age is mandatory. Objective: To provide oral screening for children living with type 1 diabetes. We aimed to investigate the oral and general health indexes of T1DM children and compare these data to healthy siblings and controls. Methods: In this cross-sectional study, 120 DM patients and 78 siblings, thereafter 80 DM children and 95 controls, took part. A detailed questionnaire, panoramic radiographs, and lateral cephalograms were obtained in every orthodontic consultation. We used Pearson’s chi-square test for statistical analysis and compared the data of the study and control groups. Results: The oral health values of DM children were significantly better (DMF-T 0.83–1.3) than the national average (3.8–4.5). A total of 75% (n = 60) of the children needed orthodontic treatment for orthodontic or skeletal anomalies. The prevalence of skeletal anomalies was significantly (p < 0.05) higher among patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) than in the control group. The frequency of coeliac disease was significantly elevated compared to any literature data (1–3.5%) in the study (15%) and in the control sibling group (13%). Conclusions: Co-morbidities such as CD should get more attention as a prognostic factor for a future higher incidence of diabetes. T1DM children can be motivated and health-conscious patients with excellent oral hygiene and dental status. Orthodontic treatment can help eliminate the oral complications of DM. Special diabetes ambulances may help provide oral care for patients with DM.

Evaluation of sleep characteristics of children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus

Objective:

To evaluate sleep characteristics of children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) and their relationship with glycemic control.

Methods:

A cross-sectional study was conducted at a public hospital in São Paulo, Brazil. It included 86 patients with T1DM, aged between 10 and 18 years old, who were on insulin therapy, had performed at least three measurements of capillary blood glucose throughout the day, and had normal thyroid function. The clinical, anthropometric, and laboratory data of each patient were evaluated. The Pediatric Daytime Sleepiness Scale (PDSS) and the Munich Chronotype Questionnaire (MCTQ) were used to assess the sleep characteristics.

Results:

The mean level of glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) was 9.2±2.1%, and it was higher in adolescents than in children. The mean score of PDSS was 13.9±4.7. Patients with HbA1c<7.5% had lower PDSS scores and longer sleep duration on weekdays than patients with HbA1c≥7.5%. HbA1c levels were negatively correlated with chronotype values and sleep duration on weekdays and positively correlated with social jet lag. Patients who had had T1DM for less than three years had a higher prevalence of daytime sleepiness. The regression analysis showed that higher HbA1c (≥7.5%) and shorter time since the diagnosis of T1DM increased the chance of daytime sleepiness, regardless of age and sex.

Conclusions:

Patients with higher HbA1c had more daytime sleepiness, a morning chronotype, shorter sleep duration on weekdays and a more significant social jet lag. The shorter diagnosis time for T1DM and greater levels of HbA1c increased the chance of daytime sleepiness.

Mauriac syndrome: A failure of parent or physician

Mauriac syndrome is rare; we share our experience of nine patients who presented at a young age with malnutrition, short stature, abdominal distention and deranged liver function.

Characteristics of Selected Somatic and Motor Abilities of Youth Soccer Players with Diabetes Type 1 Treated with Insulin Pump Therapy

Long-term insulin treatment can slow the growth process and decrease physical fitness level in children. In diabetic children, these two developments should be constantly monitored. The aim of the present study was to examine differences in somatic and physical fitness characteristics between soccer-training boys with type 1 diabetes and healthy boys of the same age (reference values based on Polish population norms for somatic and motor parameters). The participants were 94 boys (8–17 years), diagnosed with diabetes, who participated in soccer training on a regular basis and received routine medical care. The study involved (a) anthropometric and body composition measurements, (b) general motor ability assessments, and (c) comparison of those characteristics with the healthy Polish population. The diabetic boys were found to have lower levels of almost all somatic traits and motor abilities as compared with the healthy boys (p ≤ 0.05). Handgrip strength was a variable with the smallest difference between the two groups. The observed differences indicate the necessity to design an appropriate control and assessment system based on simple medical and fitness field tests for diabetic children and adolescents. It will allow optimizing advanced training as well as minimize health risks before, during, or after exercise.