Pancreas size and exocrine function is decreased in young children with recent-onset Type 1 diabetes

Abstract

AIMS: To measure pancreatic area and exocrine function in young children with recent-onset Type 1 diabetes to determine whether the exocrine pancreas is also affected in the pathophysiology of early childhood diabetes. METHODS: Thirty-two children (14 boys) aged 5.5 (4.5, 7.3) median (IQR) years presenting with recent-onset Type 1 diabetes and 90 controls (44 boys) of similar age had ultrasound imaging of the pancreas. Children with Type 1 diabetes were receiving insulin and were without ketosis. Transverse and longitudinal areas of the pancreas were measured by digitalized outline. Pancreatic faecal elastase-1 was analysed using an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay kit in recent-onset Type ..