Nine normal children (6 males and 3 females) aged from 7 1/2 to 14 1/2 years underwent a 30-min arginine infusion (0.5 g/kg) followed at 90 min by one bolus i.v. glucagon injection (0.03 mg/kg). On a separate occasion the same children underwent an i.v. glucagon only test. No significant difference was found when the glucose and insulin responses in the two glucagon tests were compared, in contrast to previous findings that preloading with glucose resulted in a significantly increased response of insulin to glucagon.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Comparison of one daily injection of NPH and crystalline PZI insulins on urinary glucose in diabetic children.

Two one-injection insulin regimens--a combination of intermediate-action NPH insulin with regular insulin and a combination of long-acting PZI insulin with regular insulin, all of porcine origin and manufactured by Nordisk Insulin Laboratories--were compared to a group of 10 juvenile diabetics, each child serving as his own control. The results of thrice daily urine tests were recorded for periods of 3 months during each regimen and the incidence of glucosuria of less than 1% constituted the index used for metabolic control. Although the total insulin dose was almost the same with both schemes, it was found that less glucose was excreted during the night and early morning with the PZI regimen than the NPH regimen, indicating that a single injection of NPH is insufficient for good diabetic control.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Definition and classification of diabetes.

Diabetes mellitus is a state of absolute or relative insulin deficiency leading to hyperglycemia and profound changes in the body lipids and proteins. The World Health Organisation (WHO) classification of diabetes distinguishes between: insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM), non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus (NIDDM) and malnutrition related diabetes mellitus (MRDM). In childhood the overwhelming majority is due to an autoimmune betacell disease leading to IDDM.

Diabetes Mellitus↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Psycho-social aspects of children and adolescents with diabetes.

The diagnosis of diabetes mellitus, a life-long disease with many possible complications, has a dramatic impact upon the entire family, precipitating a state of "shock". The psychological problems in diabetes should be divided in 3 periods: at diagnosis (other diseases or tension existing in the family and not related to diabetes, socio-economic state); initial adaptation period (acceptance to be "different", adjustment to rules of control such as daily injection of insulin, self blood glucose monitoring or urine testing, changing of nutritional habits, etc.), and long term coping (self-image, family dynamics, social activities, school achievements, vocational rehabilitation and continuing compliance. Counselling of the psychological problems is an ongoing need and is best delivered when the treating team included psychologists and social workers.

Adolescent↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Decreased insulin-like growth factor-I receptor sites on circulating mononuclear cells from children with acute leukemia.

Insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) is a known mitogen for various cell types, including those of the hematopoietic cell system. To study the role of IGF-I in the neoplastic process of leukemia in children, the authors have determined the number of IGF-I binding sites on circulating mononuclear cells of children with acute leukemia as compared to normal children, using binding assays. The IGF-I binding sites per cell on peripheral mononuclear cells of children with leukemia decreased compared to those of the control group (411 +/- 73 and 1334 +/- 227, respectively, p < .001), while their affinity increased (Kd = 0.14 +/- 0.04 and 0.43 +/- 0.16, respectively, p = .05). Furthermore, in the patients, the number of the IGF-I binding sites was significantly lower in the subgroup of the peripheral mononuclear cells, which included lymphocytes and monocytes, as compared to their number in the peripheral blast cells (254 +/- 43.6 and 536 +/- 98.6, respectively, p = .02). A significant reduction was found in serum GHBP levels in the patients as compared to the controls (28.21 +/- 1.93 and 35.83 +/- 2.90, respectively, p = .02), while serum IGF-I and growth hormone levels were similar in patient and control groups. These results suggest a possible involvement of IGF-I in childhood acute leukemia, but further studies are needed to establish whether IGF-I plays a role in this disease.

Adolescent↗