Insulin Secretion and Sensitivity in Children on Cyclic Total Parenteral Nutrition

Background: Some children receiving total parenteral nutrition (TPN) have abnormal glucose tolerance. Methods: Insulin secretion and sensitivity were studied in 12 patients, aged 5.7 to 19.4 years, receiving cyclic nocturnal TPN. Insulin secretion was measured during an IV glucose tolerance test (IVGTT; 0.5 g/kg) followed by a hyperglycemic clamp (plasma glucose at 10 mmol/L). Insulin sensitivity was assessed by hyperinsulinemic euglycemic clamp (insulin infusion = 1 mU/kg/min). Results: Patients with normal glucose tolerance receiving TPN had an insulin response to IVGTT similar to that of normal children of the same age. Insulin levels of TPN patients were higher than those in healthy young adults during the hyperglycemic clamp. Whole body glucose disposal was greater in younger than in older children (range, 7.1 to 25.2 mg/kg/min), and this inverse correlation with age was statistatically significan (p < .01). Two patients with abnormal glucose tolerance showed a decreased capacity to release insulin, whereas insulin sensitiv ity was unchanged in one of these two patients. Two patients treated with prednisone or octreotide had insulin levels similar to those of normal TPN children. Conclusions: The insulin response to sustained hyperglycemia was stronger in children with norma glucose tolerance on cyclic TPN. Patients with a limited capacity to release insulin, either constitutional or acquired, may not be able to produce enough insulin in these conditions and develop glucose intolerance during TPN. Insulin sensitivity was not a key factor in the alteration of glucose tolerance. (Journal of Paren. teral and Enteral Nutrition 22:382-386, 1998)