Reduced growth and microvascular complications have been recognized as consequences of type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM). We assessed the effect of T1DM on growth and factors associated with the development of microvascular complications.

We conducted a retrospective longitudinal evaluation of 154 patients above 16 years of age. We analyzed factors which affect final height standard deviation scores (SDS) and development of microvascular complications.

Final height SDS was -0.11±1.15 (-0.26±1.33 in females, 0.04±0.91 in males). Final height SDS was significantly lower than midparental height SDS and height SDS at diagnosis. There was no difference in final height SDS according to age at onset, existence or nonexistence of complications, or average HbA_1C. Height SDS at onset of puberty, midparental height SDS and pubertal growth gain affected final height SDS. The number of patients with complications was 37 (24 percent). Microvascular complications developed at a younger age and after longer duration of diabetes in patients with a prepubertal onset of T1DM compared to patients with pubertal onset. Patients with complications had a higher level of average HbA_1C than patients without complications. Patients whose microalbuminuria regressed had lower levels of average HbA_1C, systolic BP, second 24h urine microalbumin than patients with persistant or progressed microalbuminuria.

The results suggest that degrees of glycemic control don't affect final height, but various factors associated with T1DM can impair growth potential. Additionally, the degrees of glycemic control and puberty affect the development of microvascular complications.