High levels of blood sugar appear to show the growth of the brain in children with type 1 diabetes. The brains of children with diabetes had slower overall growth and slower growth in the grey and white matter regions of the brain than children without diabetes.
The findings are from a new study and suggest that chronic high blood sugar levels may be detrimental to brain growth in children. However, the children with diabetes did not show any differences in thinking or memory skills. In addition, although this research shows an association between high blood sugar levels and slower brain growth, this does not prove there is a cause and effect relationship.
Researchers evaluated 144 children aged 4 to 9 with type 1 diabetes and 72 children the same age without diabetes. The children underwent regular magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of their brains and tests of their mental abilities when they entered the study and again 18 months later. The children's blood sugar levels were continuously monitored over that time.
They found that brain changes were associated with higher blood sugar levels and variability, but not with low blood sugar levels.
Parents and caregivers for young children with type 1 diabetes (formerly known as juvenile diabetes) know that it can be difficult to completely control blood sugar levels. "Despite the best efforts of parents and diabetes care teams, about 50 percent of all blood glucose concentrations during the study were measured in the high range," said Dr. Nelly Mauras, chief of the division of endocrinology, diabetes and metabolism at Nemours Children's Clinic in Jacksonville, FL. Mauras is lead author on the study. Remarkably, the cognitive tests remained normal, but whether these observed changes will ultimately impact brain function will need further study," she added.
The study was published in the journal Diabetes and reported on at Healthday.com.
