The influence of metabolic control (HbA1c), noradrenaline (NA) and insulin-like growth factors (IGF-I and IGF-II) on renal function and size was investigated in 11 insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus patients aged 11-17 years. Renal function was evaluated in terms of glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and effective renal plasma flow (ERPF). Renal size was determined as renal parenchymal volume (RPV) by ultrasonography. The patients' HbA1c values ranged from 8.2% to 12.9% (normal range 5.5-8.5%) and their GFR and ERPF were higher than normal. Their IGF-II values were higher, and NA and IGF-I levels were lower than those of healthy controls. Inverse correlations between NA and GFR (r = -0.66) and NA and ERPF (r = -0.63) were found. No correlation was found between serum IGF-I and renal functional parameters. The IGF-II values correlated with GFR and HbA1c (r = 0.63, r = 0.70 respectively). There were linear correlations between RPV and GFR, RPV and ERPF, HbA1c and GFR, and ERPF and RPV. Decreased NA concentrations and increased IGF-II values appear to be factors contributing to renal hyperfunction in these patients.