[The development of the reproductive system in children suffering from a severe form of diabetes mellitus].

The levels of estrogen, estrone, estradiol, progesterone, FSH, insulin, and C-peptide were investigated in insulin dependent diabetes mellitus of various duration. Secondary sexual characters developed in time though there was no regular menstrual cycle in girls until they were 15. Retarded physical development was noted in early childhood and in disease of 10 year duration. The level of FSH in boys was twice as low in patients as in healthy ones, the level of estrogens was the same as in girls. A decrease in hypophyseal gonadotropic function with the reduced level of hormones was noted in boys and girls with a severe course of disease at the stage of decompensation. A 2-fold decrease of insulin and C-peptide was also noted in these patients.