Prevalence of stunting and determinants of growth failure in children with Type 1 diabetes

Objectives: India is home to the highest number of prevalent cases of Type-1 diabetes (T1D) in children. There is scarcity of data on the growth failure of children with diabetes, especially those having complications and comorbidities, thus, we conducted this study with the objective to determine the prevalence and predictors of stunting in children with T1D. Methods: This cross-sectional study included 350 children and adolescents aged 1–18 years with T1D. Demographic data, anthropometry, diet, sexual maturity rating, and biochemical measurements were performed using standard protocols. Short stature was defined as height for age Z-score <−2. p<0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: We report a 15.7% prevalence of stunting in our cohort of children with T1D. Stunted children had higher cholesterol, lower hemoglobin, lower mid-parental height Z-scores, and higher urinary albumin creatinine ratio. Binary logistic regression revealed that pre-existing comorbidities, compromised renal function, longer disease duration, and short mid-parental height were significant predictors of stunting. Conclusion: A little under one-sixth of children with T1D had short stature. Monitoring growth in these patients, especially in subjects with short parents, prolonged duration of diabetes, existing comorbidities, and deteriorating renal function are critical.