URINARY GROWTH-HORMONE EXCRETION IN POST-MENARCHEAL ADOLESCENT GIRLS WITH TYPE-1 DIABETES

The aim of the present study was to compare measurements of urinary gr owth hormone (GH), serum insulinlike growth factor I (IGF-I) and IGF b inding protein 3 (IGFBP3) between two groups of post-menarcheal girls, 13-18 y of age, one comprising 64 type 1 diabetic patients and the ot her 64 healthy girls matched for age and stage of puberty. GH was dete rmined on two occasions in nocturnal urine samples by using a modifica tion of an immunoradiometric method for serum. Significantly higher ur inary GH concentrations but lower IGF-I and IGFBP3 levels were found i n diabetic girls than in controls (p < 0.001). A significant correlati on was found between urinary GH concentrations and the daily dose of i nsulin (U kg(-1)) (r = 0.426, p = 0.003). Urinary GH concentrations we re also significantly related to HbAlc (r = 0.380, p = 0.003). In conc lusion, disturbances of the GH-IGF-I axis may be evaluated by the use of non-invasive urinary GH measurements, which is a simple alternative to frequent sampling of serum GH. Increased GH secretion seems to be related to a great need for insulin and poor metabolic control. More k nowledge about underlying causal factors in the disturbed GH-IGF-I axi s is required.