Effects on Muscle Mass and Strength in Children with Newly Diagnosed Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus

Objective: Children with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) are at risk for reduced muscle mass and strength, which may be influenced by insulin deficiency. Although insulin is known to regulate muscle metabolism, data on its effects in newly diagnosed pediatric patients are limited. To describe changes in muscle mass and muscle strength after insulin treatment in children newly diagnosed with T1DM. Methods: This was a prospective analysis of hospitalized children with newly diagnosed T1DM and age, sex-matched outpatient healthy controls between 2020 and 2021. The primary outcome was muscle strength, muscle mass measured at diagnosis, and three and six months after insulin initiation in patients with T1DM, compared with age- and sex-matched healthy controls. Total body muscle mass were assessed using bioelectrical impedance analysis and muscle strength was measured by handgrip dynamometry. Results: The study included 36 children with newly diagnosed T1DM and 43 matched controls. Baseline muscle mass did not differ significantly between T1DM patients and controls (p=0.73), but muscle strength was significantly lower in the T1DM group (p=0.001). During follow-up, both muscle mass and muscle strength increased significantly within the T1DM group compared with baseline (p