Skeletal maturity in children with type 1 insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus

The skeletal maturity of 56 children with type 1 insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus attending the diabetic clinic in Al-Mansoor Children Teaching Hospital, Saddam Medical City Hospital, Baghdad was assessed. Their ages ranged between 2-12 years. 28 [50%] were males. Forty-six [82.1%] children showed retardation in skeletal maturity, delayed bone age in range of 0.5-5.6 years with average duration of illness of 3 years. A statistically significant relationship was found between the duration of diabetes and retardation in growth and skeletal maturity. Normal growth and maturation can be considered as criterion of good metabolic control