FINAL ADULT HEIGHT AND ITS RELATIONSHIP TO BLOOD-GLUCOSE CONTROL AND MICROVASCULAR COMPLICATIONS IN IDDM

The effect of longitudinal blood glucose control on final adult height was evaluated in 181 subjects (94 women and 87 men) with IDDM. Diabet es onset was at a median age of 6.9 years with an interquartile range of 4.7 years. Longitudinal glycated haemoglobin values were determined over a mean period of 6.6 +/- 2.6 years during their growth phase. Se rial eye and joint examinations and urinary albumin excretion rates we re performed with final assessment being carried out at a mean age of 21.1 +/- 3.0 years. The mean adult height standard deviation score of the whole group was -0.22 +/- 1.15 and was reduced compared to the mea n height of the general population and to the mean height of the subje cts' parents and siblings. There was an inverse correlation with mean longitudinal glycated haemoglobin and final adult height (p<0.01). The re was also an inverse relationship between adult height and the sever ity of eye, kidney, and joint complications, but when controlled by gl ycated haemoglobin, this relationship only remained significant for ey e complications. Final adult height is reduced in subjects with early onset IDDM who remain in poor blood glucose control-during their growt h period.