Beta cell function and BMI in ethnically diverse children with newly diagnosed autoimmune type 1 diabetes

Redondo MJ et al. – Obese and overweight children compared to lean children have greater beta–cell function at the onset of autoimmune type 1 diabetes (T1D). Prospective studies on the relationships among BMI, beta–cell function, and progression to clinical T1D are warranted.

Methods

• Cross-sectional analysis of 524 children (60.8% White, 19.5% Hispanic, 14.5% African-American, 5.2% other non-Hispanic; mean age=9.8 yr [SD = 2.5]) with newly diagnosed autoimmune T1D.

Results

• As much as 22.2% of children were overweight or obese.
• Median random serum C-peptide was 0.40ng/mL (25th–75th percentiles=0.3–0.8), with median glycemia of 366mg/dL (25th–75th percentiles=271–505).
• Median C-peptide was 0.3, 0.5, 0.7, and 0.85ng/mL, respectively, in underweight, normal weight, overweight, and obese children (p<0.0001, Kruskal–Wallis).
• Tanner stage, race/ethnicity, glycemia, and number of anti-islet antibodies expressed were not independently associated with preserved C-peptide.
• The association between BMI and C-peptide levels was significant in children with and without preserved C-peptide. Excluding patients who presented with DKA and/or using BMI obtained 5 wk after diagnosis did not alter the results.

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