Examination Of C-Peptide Levels In Plasma At The Beginning Of Type ۱ Diabetes Diagnosis In Children During The Honeymoon Period

Background: C-peptide determination in the honeymoon phase is a practical approach to start or stop insulin-based treatment in patients suffering from type ۱ diabetes (T۱DM). The present study aimed to assess the C-peptide levels in plasma at the beginning of type ۱ diabetes diagnosis in children during the honeymoon period. Methods: Younger than ۱۸ years old children with proven insulin-dependent diabetes who didn’t receive any insulin treatment were included in the study. Those related to non-T۱DM (T۲DM, MODY, and secondary diabetes) and primary insulin administration, were excluded. Totally, ۳۰ patients were entered. Blood samples were collected and C-peptide levels, fasting and random glucose, blood glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA۱C), and serum levels of GAD (anti-glutamic acid decarboxylase antibodies), IA-۲ (anti-tyrosine phosphatase antibodies), ICA (islet cell antibodies), and IAA (insulin autoantibodies) were analyzed. Results: The age of patients had a range of ۱ to ۱۷ years old. The honeymoon period had a range between ۳ to ۱۸ months. Only ۷ out of ۳۰ (۲۳.۳۳%) studied patients had C-peptide levels of <۵ before the honeymoon period. Reversely, ۲۳ out of ۳۰ (۷۶.۶۶%) patients had C-peptide levels of <۵ after the honeymoon period. Additionally, IAA, ICA, GAD, and TA۲ autoantibodies were detected in ۲۳.۳۳% (۷ out of ۳۰ patients), ۲۰% (۶ out of ۳۰ patients), ۶۶.۶۶% (۲۰ out of ۳۰ patients), and ۲۳.۳۳% (۷ out of ۳۰ patients), respectively. Conclusion: These findings may show the high impact and role of GAD autoantibody and also C-peptide during the honeymoon period.

Keywords:

C-peptide , Determination , Type ۱ diabetes , Children , Honeymoon Phase