Background: Insulin produced by pancreatic β cells ceases in people with type1 diabetes mellitus, an endocrine disease caused by autoimmune damage. It can cause weight loss. Energy balance controls the secretion of ghrelin, a peptide hormone made by entering endocrine cells found in the oxyntic glands of the stomach fundus. 

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between serum ghrelin and body mass index in newly diagnosed children with type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Methods: The study involved 120 pediatric participants aged 2-14 years conducted from February to May 2024. They were divided into four groups: group 1 contains 40 lean patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus and a body mass index ≥85 percentile, group 2: 40 underweight patients with type1 diabetes mellitus and a BMI ≥5 percentile, group 3: 22 healthy lean controls with a body mass index <85 percentile, group 4: 18 healthy underweight controls with a body mass index ≥5 percentile. The study measured fasting serum glucose, ghrelin, and HbA1c.

Results: Diabetics patients had significantly lower ghrelin levels compared to controls. Underweight diabetics had higher mean HbA1c and fasting blood glucose compared to lean and underweight controls.

Conclusion:  In type1 diabetes mellitus patients, ghrelin levels are lower than in controls. Ghrelin correlates positively with FBG, HbA1c, weight, and height in healthy control participants (lean and underweight) and age in lean control subjects. No association was found between ghrelin and the patient (T1DM).