Type 1 diabetes in children

ARTICLE SECTIONS

Definition Symptoms Causes Risk factors When to seek medical advice

Tests and diagnosis Complications Treatments and drugs Prevention Lifestyle and home remedies

Definition

Type 1 diabetes in children presents special challenges for parents and children alike.

Type 1 diabetes — once known as juvenile diabetes — is a chronic condition in which the pancreas produces little or no insulin, a hormone needed to convert sugar (glucose) into energy. Although type 1 diabetes can develop at any age, it typically appears during childhood or adolescence.

Type 2 diabetes is a similar condition in which a child's body becomes resistant to the effects of insulin or when a child's body produces some, but not enough, insulin to maintain a normal blood sugar level.

Various factors may contribute to type 1 diabetes in children, including genetics and exposure to certain viruses. Although type 1 diabetes requires consistent care, advances in blood sugar monitoring and insulin delivery have simplified the daily routine of managing type 1 diabetes in children. With proper treatment, children who have type 1 diabetes can expect to live long, healthy lives.

NEXT:

Symptoms

RELATED

MayoClinic.com Bookstore

• 'Mayo Clinic Guide to a Healthy Pregnancy' (Softcover)
• 'Mayo Clinic Fitness for EveryBody' (Softcover)
• 'Mayo Clinic on Managing Diabetes,' Second Edition (Softcover)