Growth, body weight and insulin requirement in diabetic children.

The weight and height development of 51 boys and 48 girls who had developed diabetes prior to the age of 15 years was followed for a minimum of 3 years, mean 8.3 years, up to the age of 18 for the girls and 20 for the boys. In addition, the insulin requirements were recorded. Weight and height proved to be within the normal range, and height at onset of diabetes was normal. After a long duration of diabetes, however, there occurred a reduction of height increment of obout 1/2cm/year. This reduction was greater in children who rarely attended as compared with those who frequently attended a sub-specialized clinic. The daily dose of insulin increased with age, the greatest increase coinciding with the growth spurt. During the first 4 years of diabetes the 24-hour dose/kg body weight increased, indicating a decreasing endogenous insulin production. Later it was constant at around 0.9 i.u./kg. Modern management of diabetic children leads to normal adult stature.