Insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome in children of parents with diabetes mellitus.

The aim of this prospective study was to research features of insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome in offspring of diabetic parents and to find out whether there is a risk of developing type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) in these children. Study participants were 30 children of parents with type 1 DM (DM1) (Group I) and 11 children of parents with type 2 DM (DM2) (Group II) who were being followed up in the Diabetes Department of Haseki Research and Training Hospital. The results were compared with a control group of 17 children in the same age group (Group III). There were no statistically significant differences between the Group I and the control group in fasting blood glucose, oral glucose tolerance test values, 1st 2nd and hour insulin, homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) values, body mass index (BMI), systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and lipid parameters, i.e. HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, VLDL-cholesterol, total cholesterol, and triglycerides. Fasting, 1st and 2nd hour blood insulin levels, HOMA values, BMI, and systolic blood pressure values were significantly higher in Group II compared to the control group (p < 0.05). There were no statistically significant differences between Group II and the control group in lipid parameters, fasting blood glucose, OGTT values, or diastolic blood pressure. We conclude that in our population there is a tendency of insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome in the offspring of parents with DM2, and a risk for developing DM2. Thus, children of patients with DM2 should be followed up so as to recognize early metabolic defects of glucose metabolism and to plan effective preventive efforts to reduce cardiovascular and atherosclerotic risk factors.