Abstract
Reduced height as a consequence of type-I-diabetes mellitus in childhood has been reported in many studies. However, it is still debated whether good metabolic control can normalize the growth rate. A total of 436 children (204 boys, 232 girls, mean age at diagnosis of diabetes 8.2±0.2 years) were followed at our outpatient diabetes centre. Z-scores for height were evaluated in relation to duration of diabetes, age at onset and long-term metabolic control. At diagnosis, height in children with diabetes was significantly above the reference population (+0.43± 0.09). Standardized height decreased during the subsequent course of diabetes. This likely represents a delay of growth, as the final height (chronological age >18 years, n = 144) was +0.27 ± 0.09. Growth reduction was more pronounced in patients diagnosed before the onset of puberty and final height in patients with a prepubertal onset of diabetes was significantly lower (+0.10 ± 0.13) compared to patients with a pubertal/postpubertal onset (+0.52 ± 0.14). Among patients with a prepubertal onset, the subgroup with “poor” metabolic control (long-term median HbA1c >7%) lost significantly more height compared to patients with “good” metabolic control.
Conclusion Despite modern treatment regimens, reduced longitudinal growth can still be demonstrated in type-I diabetes. This parameter therefore provides a valuable endpoint for quality control in paediatric diabetology.
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Received: 8 December 1997/ Accepted in revised form: 11 March 1998
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Holl, R., Grabert, M., Heinze, E. et al. Age at onset and long-term metabolic control affect height in type-1 diabetes mellitus. Eur J Pediatr 157, 972–977 (1998). https://doi.org/10.1007/s004310050980
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s004310050980