Insulin resistance and secretion indexes in healthy Italian children and adolescents: a multicentre study.
OBJECTIVE
To establish normal values of insulin resistance, secretion and sensitivity using respectively HOMA-IR, HOMA-beta% and QUICKI indexes in healthy Italian children and adolescents, based on fasting samples.


METHODS
We determined HOMA-IR, HOMA-beta% and QUICKI at baseline in 142 healthy subjects from Pediatric Centres, aged 2.7 to 19 years (10.6 +/- 3.8, Mean +/- SD), with different Tanner's pubertal Stages (TS). None had hypo/hyperglycemia (fasting plasma glucose ranging from 3.6 to 5.6 mmol/l), obesity (BMI (kg/m2) 17.9 +/- 2.4, M +/- SD), or family history for diabetes mellitus.


RESULTS
The HOMA-IR index slightly increases with Tanner's stage. As regards HOMA-beta% and QUICKI, a weak variation throughout puberty was observed. No significant correlation was observed between HOMA-IR, HOM A-beta%, QUICKI and BMI-SDS or chronologic age.


CONCLUSIONS
Normal values of HOMA-IR, HOMA-beta% and QUICKI are useful tools in the clinical and epidemiological practice for baseline screening and follow-up of subjects at risk for type 2 diabetes mellitus.
d'Annunzio
Giuseppe
G
Pediatric Clinic, University of Genoa, Italy. giuseppedannunzio@ospedale-gaslini.ge.it
Vanelli
Maurizio
M
Pistorio
Angela
A
Minuto
Nicola
N
Bergamino
Laura
L
Iafusco
Dario
D
Lorini
Renata
R
D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D001786:Blood Glucose / Q000378:metabolism*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005215:Fasting / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D007328:Insulin / Q000097:blood*; D007333:Insulin Resistance / Q000208:ethnology / Q000502:physiology*; D050417:Insulin-Secreting Cells / Q000502:physiology; D007558:Italy; D011627:Puberty / Q000378:metabolism; D012016:Reference Values; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D055815:Young Adult
D001786:Blood Glucose; D007328:Insulin