Endocrine Abstracts

Introduction: Trisomy 21 is often associated with congenital malformation and metabolic abnormalities such as glucose intolerance and an increased risk of developing diabetes mellitus.

Aim: The aim of this study was to assess carbohydrate metabolism in children with Down syndrome.

Material and methods: Thirty nine children with Down syndrome, aged between 2 months and 16 years (mean 6.5 years), took part in the study. Glycaemia before and after a standard meal, cholesterol, HDL- cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, triglycerides and thyroid hormones were measured. The children were divided into two groups: below and above 2 years of age (ZD-1; n=12, ZD-2; n=19 respectively). We excluded 7 children with glucose intolerance and 1 child with diabetes mellitus type I from statistical analysis. The Ethics Committee of Wroclaw Medical University approved of the study protocol.

Results: In both groups flat glucose curves after meal ingestion were observed. No significant differences were found in glucose concentration levels between the two groups. The mean glucose levels measured in mg% (0′, 30′, 60′, 90′, 120′) in ZD-1 group were: 82,83; 82,58; 88,58; 81,33; 85,71; 81,79; and in ZD-2 group: 83,79; 89,91; 94,83; 93,16; 92,26; 89,90. In both groups a negative correlation was found between fasting glucose concentration and TSH concentration (ZD-1: r=−0.58, ZD-2: r=−0.30) and a positive correlation between glucose and TG concentration (ZD-1: in 30′ r=0.53; ZD-2: in 120′: r=0.31). The results enabled to make the diagnosis of glucose intolerance in seven children and of diabetes mellitus in one child.

Conclusions: Due to the apparent abnormalities, carbohydrate metabolism should be closely and regularly monitored in children with Down syndrome.