One-hour post-load plasma glucose level is associated with a worse metabolic profile in children with GH deficiency

Purpose: In children, the plasma glucose value at 1 h (1hPG) during OGTT higher than 132.5 mg/dl is a predictor of alterations in glucose metabolism. We aimed to metabolically characterize GHD children according to 1hPG levels. Methods: Fifty-one GHD children (35 M, 16 F; mean age 8.6 years), grouped according to 1hPG, were evaluated at diagnosis and after 12 months of GH treatment (GHT) and compared with 50 matched controls at baseline. Auxological parameters, insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), glucose and insulin during OGTT, lipid profile, the oral disposition index (DIo), the homeostasis model assessment estimate of insulin resistance (Homa-IR), and the insulin sensitivity index (ISI) were evaluated. Results: At baseline, 31.4% of GHD children and 12% of controls (p = 0.016) showed 1hPG ≥ 132.5 mg/dl. The first ones showed higher mean 1hPG (p = 0.025) and LDL cholesterol (p = 0.029) and lower HDL cholesterol (p = 0.014) than controls. GHD with higher 1hPG showed a significant decrease in DIo (p < 0.001) without improvement in lipid profile after GHT, compared with children with lower 1hPG. After 12 months, the higher 1hPG group showed lower ISI Matsuda (p = 0.047) and DIo (p < 0.001) than the lower 1hPG group. 1hPG levels proved to be positively correlated with Homa-IR (p = 0.010) and LDL cholesterol (p = 0.032) and negatively with ISI Matsuda (p = 0.001) and DIo (p = 0.019). The 1hPG value at baseline was the only independent variable significantly associated with DIo at 12 months (p = 0.041). Conclusions: 1hPG level at baseline may be a useful tool to identify and properly follow up children with enhanced metabolic risk who probably need more surveillance during GHT.