
November 4, 2003
Other
Question from Flintstone, Georgia, USA:
My daughter’s doctor has indicated that people diagnosed with diabetes at an early age do not grow to their potential. Can people with type 1 diabetes benefit from some type of hormone replacement/therapy to increase normal growth?
Answer:
In earlier years, it was relatively common for children with diabetes to be stunted in their growth, but today it is very rare indeed. In fact very poor diabetes control, especially during early puberty, may retard the child’s height development and decrease the growth spurt during puberty. It’s therefore very important to assure your daughter the best metabolic control in order to permit her fully potential growth with no need for any hormonal supplementation except than for insulin.
MS