Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 23, 2026

Electrochemiluminescence Assays for Human Islet Autoantibodies
Published on: March 23, 2018
[Normal plasma insulin and HOMA values among Chilean children and adolescents]
Salesa Barja1, Pilar Arnaiz, Angélica Domínguez
1Departamento Pediatría, Facultad de Medicina, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago, Chile.
Background:
Plasma insulin and HOMA (homeostasis model assessment) index, used to determine insulin resistance, do not have local standard values for children and adolescents in Chile.
Aim:
To establish the normal reference intervals for insulin and HOMA in children and adolescents aged 10-15 years, according to sex and puberal maturation.
Material And Methods:
A cross-sectional study of 2,153 children and adolescents from Puente Alto County was performed, during 2009 and 2010. Anthropometry and self-report of puberal maturation were assessed. Fasting glucose (hexoquinase) and insulin blood levels (chemiluminiscence), were determined and HOMA index was calculated. Percentile distributions of these variables were calculated.
Results:
The reference group included only subjects with normal body mass index and fasting blood glucose (n = 1,192). Girls had higher insulin and HOMA values than boys (12.5 ± 6.0 and 9.1 ± 4.9 μϋ/mL (p < 0.01) and 2.7 ± 1.4 and 2.1 ± 1,1 (p < 0.01), respectively). Subjects with Tanner I and II pubertal stages had lower insulin and HOMA mean values than subjects with Tanner III and IV (9.0 ± 4.3 and 12.5 ± 6.2μϋ/ml (p < 0.01) and2.0 ± 1 and2.8 ± 1.4 (p < 0.01), respectively).
Conclusions:
The 90th percentile of insulin and HOMA distributions according to sex and maturation, was selected as the upper cut-off point to identify individuals with insulin resistance. HOMA cutoff point for Tanner I and II boys was 3.2, for Tanner I and II girls was 4.1, for Tanner III and IV boys was 4.2 and for Tanner III and IV girls was 5.0.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
Insulin: Dosing Regimen and Adverse Effects
The basal dose constitutes about 40%-50% of the total daily dose, with the rest as premeal insulin. The mealtime insulin dose should mirror...
Hypoglycemia
Type I Diabetes III: Clinical Manifestations
Hormones Regulating Blood Glucose
In addition to accelerating glucose uptake and utilization, insulin has...
Hypoglycemia and Glucagon
Hyperglycemia

