Glycemic response in children with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus after high- or low-glycemic-index breakfast

To examine the effects of various carbohydrate foods on postprandial glycemia in diabetic children, we fed a mixed, isocaloric diet containing either high- or low-glycemic-index (GI) breakfast foods to 22 children with poorly controlled insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) and measured blood sugar response with and without adjustment of insulin doses. We found that IDDM children fed a high-GI meal showed a significantly higher serum glucose level than those fed a low-GI meal. However, such differences were not seen when the preprandial dose of regular insulin was adjusted to the amount of carbohydrate in feedings. Thus, as long as proper adjustment of insulin is made, the type of carbohydrate in a single mixed meal does not appear to have a significant effect on the postprandial glycemic response in children with long-standing poorly controlled IDDM.