Protein intake and postprandial hyperglycemia in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus, a pilot study

Abstract

Background and aimsTo describe the change in glucose and the resulting postprandial hyperglycemia (PPH) that occurs after dietary protein intake (PI) in children with type 1 diabetes (T1D). MethodsWe conducted a self-controlled, non-randomized, prospective pilot study in children with T1D who were given whey protein isolate drinks (carbohydrate-free, fat-free) of increasing protein amounts (0, 12.5, 25, 37.5, 50, and 62.5 gm) on 6 sequential nights. The glucose levels were monitored with continuous glucose monitors (CGM) and glucometers for 5 h after PI. PPH was defined as glucose elevations over baseline of ≥50 mg/dL. ResultsThirty-eight subjects were recruited, and eleven subjects (6 females, 5 males) completed the intervention. Subjects had a mean (range) age of 11.6 (6–16) years, diabetes duration of 6.1 (1.4–15.5) years, HbA1c of 7.2 (5.2–8.6) % and weight of 44.5 (24.3–63.2) kg. PPH was detected in 1/11, 5/11, 6/10, 6/9, 5/9, and 8/9 subjects after receiving 0, 12.5, 25, 37.5, 50, and 62.5 gm of protein, respectively. ConclusionsIn children with T1D, the association between PPH and PI was observed at smaller protein amounts compared to studies done in adults.