Objective: To define peculiarities of urinary magnesium (Mg) excretion in diabetic adolecents; to elucidate gender-related differences in Mg urinary excretion; to determine urinary Mg excretion differences between diabetic and age-matched healthy children. The diurnal, nocturnal and 24-h urinary Mg level in adolescent boys and girls (aged 13-17 years) with type I diabetes mellitus (DM) and in age-matched control groups of healthy boys and girls was examined. Additionally the adolescent girls were examined during different phases of their menstrual cycle.
Results: Diurnal, overnight and 24-h Mg urinary excretion in diabetic adolescent boys and girls was significantly higher than in healthy ones. In diabetic boys 24 h Mg excretion was higher than in diabetic girls (4.59 +/- 1.4 vs. 3.34 +/- 1.5 mmol; p < 0.05). The investigation showed gender-related differences in Mg urinary excretion in healthy adolescents: 24-h Mg urinary excretion was significantly higher in boys than in girls (2.66 +/- 0.9 vs. 2.1 +/- 0.9 mmol; p < 0.05). The level of Mg in the nocturnal urine of boys and girls was significantly higher than in diurnal. Urine Mg was negatively related to height in adolescent girls.
Conclusion: Diabetic adolescents excrete significantly more Mg with urine as compared to healthy ones.