Early changes of some serum proteins and metals in diabetic children.

Serum concentrations of prealbumin, albumin, orosomucoid, magnesium, zinc and calcium were studied in 30 children with newly diagnosed IDDM aged 3-15 years, during the first two years of the disease, and in 44 healthy control children. On admission serum prealbumin was significantly lower in IDDM children (149 +/- 48 mg/l) (M +/- SD) than in healthy controls (194 +/- 39 mg/l) (p less than 0.001). During the two years follow-up prealbumin increased significantly, but did not reach the level of healthy controls. Serum albumin was slightly increased at diagnosis (p less than 0.01), but later decreased significantly (p less than 0.01). Orosomucoid concentrations did not differ between diabetics and controls. Serum magnesium was initially within the reference interval but later decreased, and after 2 years of IDDM it was highly significantly reduced (p less than 0.001). Serum zinc was significantly reduced in IDDM children at diagnosis (p less than 0.001), but was within the reference interval after one and 2 years. Serum calcium was increased in the IDDM group at diagnosis (p less than 0.01), but later normalized. It is concluded that in early IDDM there is a decrease in serum prealbumin and albumin, and serum magnesium decreases progressively, while serum zinc is only transiently reduced.