Serum zinc, insulin-like growth factor-I and insulin-like growth factor binding protein-3 levels in children with type 1 diabetes mellitus

BACKGROUND: Growth is impaired during the course of diabetes mellitus (DM). Derangement of the growth hormone/insulin-like growth factor (IGF) axis, insulinopenia and zinc deficiency are the possible causative factors of this impairment. Zn supplementation is proven to attenuate hyperglycemia in mice but its use to ameliorate impaired height is still a matter of discussion. OBJECTIVE: To investigate serum Zn, IGF-I and IGF binding protein-3 (IGFBP-3) levels and to emphasize the potential beneficial effects of Zn supplementation for the prevention of growth failure in children with type 1 DM (DM1). Patients and Methods: Twenty-eight patients with DM1 and 15 control children were included in the study. Zn levels were measured by flame atomic absorption spectrophotometry; IGF-I and IGFBP-3 levels were measured by immunoradiometric assay. RESULTS: Mean serum Zn levels were significantly lower in diabetic children taken as a whole and as their pubertal subgroup compared to the controls. Mean serum IGF-I and IGFBP-3 levels were significantly lower in both prepubertal and pubertal diabetic groups compared to those of control groups. CONCLUSION: From the results of our study, it can be hypothesized that serum Zn levels should be closely monitored during the course of DM1 and supplementation may be given to patients, especially at the time of puberty. This hypothesis needs to be confirmed by further studies.