Size of pancreas in children and adolescents with type I (Insulin- Dependent) diabetes

Abstract

Purpose. The aim of this study was to evaluate the influence of insulin- dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) on the size of the pancreas in children. Methods. Pancreas size was evaluated sonographically in a group of 60 diabetic children and adolescents, aged 3-15 years, and 60 sex- and age- matched healthy controls. Results. A significant reduction in pancreatic area and other parameters was found in diabetic patients, particularly in children aged 8-12 and 13-15 years. The pancreas was larger in children 3-7 years old who had had IDDM for 2 years of less (mean size, 8.61 cm2) than in children 8-12 and 13-15 years old who had had IDDM for more than 5 years (mean size, 8.06 and 8.40 cm2, respectively). An inverse correlation between area of the pancreas and duration of IDDM was seen in all age groups (p < 0.05). Conclusions. Diabetes affects the growth of the pancreas in Children with IDDM. Sonography can be used tO noninvasively evaluate the influence of the disease on pancreas size.