[Serum insulin concentration, basal and during an standardized oral glucose tolerance test in healthy children

Insights

This study found that healthy children tend to have lower serum insulin levels, particularly fasting levels. A small percentage were identified as having low insulin secretion, with insulin levels positively correlating with age.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Endocrinology
  • Metabolic Research
  • Human Physiology

Background:

  • Understanding normal serum insulin concentration in children is crucial for diagnosing metabolic disorders.
  • Pediatric age significantly influences metabolic parameters, necessitating age-specific reference ranges.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate serum insulin concentrations in healthy children across different pediatric age groups.
  • To analyze insulin secretion patterns during an oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT).
  • To explore correlations between insulin levels, glucose metabolism, and age.

Main Methods:

  • Measured serum insulin using radioimmunoassay and glucose via oxidative enzymatic procedures in 110 healthy children.
  • Administered a standardized oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT).
  • Utilized log-conversion for data analysis to achieve normal log distribution; calculated glucose and insulin areas and insulinogenic index.

Main Results:

  • A general trend of low serum insulin values was observed, most pronounced in fasting levels.
  • 4.1% of the pediatric participants were classified as having hyposecretion (low insulin secretion).
  • A positive correlation was found between insulin levels and age, evident in both fasting and OGTT conditions.

Conclusions:

  • Healthy children exhibit a tendency towards lower insulin levels, especially when fasting.
  • Age is a significant factor influencing insulin levels in children.
  • The findings contribute to establishing normative data for pediatric insulin secretion.

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