Effect of insulin therapy on IGF-1 level in children with new-onset type 1 diabetes mellitus: a comparison between DKA and non-DKA

Abstract

Background and objective: The issue of insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF-1) and diabetes in adults and type 2 diabetes has been well investigated. A few studies have investigated the serum IGF-1 level at the onset of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) in children. In the present study, we investigated the IGF-1 level of T1DM children before and after insulin therapy. Subjects and methods: Between August 2011 and October 2012, 62 children with newly diagnosed T1DM were recruited. Serum IGF-1 levels were compared before and 1 month after insulin therapy between diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and non-DKA patients. Results: Thirty-one patients without DKA (18 girls and 13 boys, mean age 8.8 +/- 3.01 years) and 31 patients with DKA (18 girls and 13 boys, mean age 8.3 +/- 3.7 years) were studied. The mean IGF-1 in the DKA group was lower than that in the non-DKA group; however, this difference was not statistically significant (p = 0.10). Serum IGF-1 levels increased significantly 1 month after insulin therapy in both the DKA (p < 0.001) and non-DKA (p < 0.001) groups. Conclusion: Serum IGF-1 level is reduced in new-onset T1DM children. A significant increase in serum IGF-1 level can occur with insulin therapy in both DKA and non-DKA children.