Plasma Insulin and Growth Hormone Levels in Untreated Diabetic Children

Abstract

Blood glucose, plasma insulin, and growth hormone were measured in 28 untreated diabetic children, and the results were compared with those obtained from a control group. Though 2 of the 28 diabetic children were still capable of increasing plasma insulin concentration above the normal fasting range, the insulin response was inadequate in all cases. Growth hormone levels in the fasting diabetic children were not raised; however, in the nonfasting children whose illness was of greater severity they were raised despite the presence of hyperglycaemia.