C-Peptide in children with juvenile diabetes

Summary

Serum C-peptide, insulin-binding IgG and total insulin (IRI) were determined in 96 juvenile diabetics aged 4–21 years, with onset of diabetes at the age of 1–16 years and with 2–17 years' duration of diabetes. Thirty-four patients (35.4%) had detectable levels of C-peptide (≥ 0.04 pmol/ml). Compared to non-diabetic adults, 19 had values below the normal range, 12 showed values within the normal range (0.18–0.63 pmol/ml) and 3 rated above normal. There was a negative correlation between the fasting C-peptide concentration and the degree of ketonuria at the onset of diabetes and a positive correlation between C-peptide levels and the incidence of postinitial remission periods. Patients without detectable C-peptide had significantly higher levels of insulin antibodies than those who had detectable levels of C-peptide. The possibility of a relationship between the intensity of the initial treatment of diabetes and the preservation of the B-cell function is discussed, as well as the possibility of insulin antibodies being a cause of B-cell exhaustion.