A Growth Study on Children/Adolescents with Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus

The purpose of this study was to investigate the growth of children/adolescents ages 8 through 15 with insulin dependent diabetes mellitus attending Camp UTADA in 1977 and/or 1978 and/or 1979. Measurements included were height, weight, triceps skinfold, mid-arm circumference and mid-arm muscle circumference. Measurements were compared with those of a nor~al, nondiabetic population. Total glycosylated hemoglobin (HbAl), duration of the disease and age at onset of the disease were also investigated for an effect on growth. The majority of the male subjects were less than the 50th percentile for height and weight. Females were equally distributed above and below the 50th percentile for height and weight. Height and weight within sex and age groups were generally similar to normal data with few exceptions. Arm anthropometry of male and female groups beyond ages 11 and 12 respectively, generally had reduced mid-arm circumferences and/or reduced mid-arm muscle circumference. Triceps skinfold measurements generally were similar to that of normal skinfolds. Male groups ages 14 and 15 were significantly shorter, lighter and had a lower mid-arm muscle circumference than normal values. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) established a negative association between duration of diabetes mellitus and height percentile. Age at onset of diabetes mellitus was also determined to have a positive effect on height. It was concluded that while heights can be expected to be within the normal range, a mild retardation in height may occur if diabetes mellitus is diagnosed before puberty and that males with a prepubertal diagnosis will likely experience a delayed growth spurt