Assessment of pubertal onset and disorders of puberty in Indian children and youth with type-1 diabetes

Abstract

Abstract Objectives Disorders of pubertal development are enlisted as associated conditions in children and adolescents with type-1 diabetes (T1D). We conducted this study with objective (1) To estimate the median age at onset of puberty and luteinizing hormone (LH) and sex-steroid concentrations in Indian adolescents with T1D and (2) To assess the impact of puberty on glycemic control and insulin resistance (IR). Methods This cross-sectional study included 399 children and youth aged 6–23 years with T1D. Demographic, anthropometric, biochemical and pelvic ultrasound data were collected using standard protocols. IR was calculated using estimated glucose disposal rate and puberty was assessed using Tanner staging. Results Median age at onset of thelarche, pubarche and menarche were 11.3, 11.4 and 12.8 years in girls and that of gonadarche and pubarche were 10.6 and 12.7 years for boys. The mean LH and sex-steroid concentrations of subjects with T1D were similar to healthy subjects at each stage of puberty. The cut-offs of LH and sex-steroids derived from healthy Indian children yielded high sensitivity and specificity in determining pubertal onset. The prevalence of precocity, delayed puberty, ovarian cysts and polycystic ovaries was 0.9 , 5.1, 5.1 and 8.6 %, respectively. Glycaemic control and insulin sensitivity was poor in pubertal subjects. Conclusions The age at onset of puberty, LH, and sex-steroid concentrations in subjects with T1D were like otherwise healthy Indian children with poor glycemic control and IR in pubertal subjects. Although most complications of T1D are associated with poor glycemic control, pubertal disorders were significantly low despite the less-than-optimal glycemic control.