Abstract
The risk for type 2 diabetes among offspring with a single diabetic parent was 3.5-fold higher and for those with two diabetic parents was 6-fold higher compared with offspring without parental diabetes. The study designed to evaluate the changes in serum level of magnesium, triglyceride, and cholesterol as well as, fat mass, fat percentage and body mass index in healthy offspring of diabetic parents as early predictors for development of diabetes. Twenty-eight children with their age range 5-12 years, eighteen of them were offspring of diabetic parents and ten sex and age matched offspring of normal parents as controls. Serum level of magnesium, cholesterol and triglyceride were measured by colorimetric enzymatic method. Calculation of body mass index, fat mass and fat percent were done using body composition analyzer BC-418.There was non-significant difference in serum levels of magnesium, cholesterol and triglyceride of offspring of diabetic parents when compared with control group. In addition, there was non-significant difference regarding BMI, fat mass and fat percentage between the studied groups. Negative non-significant correlation between magnesium and each of T.G, BMI and fat mass in offspring of diabetic parents was found. The negative non-significant correlation between magnesium and each of T.G, BMI and fat mass could highlight their possible significant role in pathogenesis of any future metabolic abnormality in offspring of diabetic parents.