metabolic and hormonal profile of diabetic children on CSII

ABSTRACT

To assess the correction of the metabolic and hormonal profile in diabetic children as normoglycemia is reached, two groups [newly-diagnosed and chronically-treated] were treated with the insulin pump. Fasting and postprandial levels of metabolites and hormones were measured before and after 10 days of pump treatment. Normoglycemia resulted in correction of fasting plasma free insulin and growth hormone, a decrease of plasma glucagon with significant hypokalemia in newly-diagnosed diabetic children. A fall in [VLDL + LDL] cholesterol levels was accompanied by a substantial increase in HDL cholesterol concentration. The postprandial blood glucose and free insulin were similar to that of control subjects. These changes suggest that optimal glycemic control is achievable at the expense of increased insulin action despite absence of peripheral hyperinsulinemia, and that the normalisation of the metabolic and hormonal profile is not absolutely possible with this mode of therapy