2014-09-10 11:24:53
A recently published cross-sectional study evaluated magnesium levels and their association with glycemic control in youths with type 1 diabetes mellitus [1]. It has been previously shown that magnesium levels may be decreased in patients with type 1 diabetes, but there are few studies looking at children. In this study, 138 children and teenagers with diabetes were recruited. The researchers measured height, weight, HbA1c, magnesium, calcium, phosophorus, potassium, sodium, and also used kidney function tests. The results showed that lower levels of magnesium were found in those with poor glycemic control, as compared to those with better glycemic control. Magnesium levels were negatively correlated with HbA1c and positively correlated with the other factors. Only magnesium levels were found to be significantly associated with HbA1c after adjustments were made. They conclude that low magnesium is associated with increased risk of poor glycemic control, potentially contributing to the early development of heart complications.
References
(1) Galli-Tsinopoulou A, et al. Association between magnesium concentration and HbA1c in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus. J Diabetes. 2014;6(4):369-77.