Why does juvenile diabetes occur

Diabetes mellitus in children. In: Nelson Textbook of Pediatrics. Elsevier; Accessed Dec. Katsarou A, et al. Nature Reviews — Disease Primers. American Diabetes Association.

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Herold KC, et al. An anti-CD3 antibody, teplizumab, in relatives at risk for type 1 diabetes. New England Journal of Medicine. Hypoglycemia low blood sugar. Levitsky LL, et al. Management of type 1 diabetes mellitus in children and adolescents.

Special situations in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus. Hyperglycemia high blood glucose. It may start at any age. Insulin from the pancreas must be replaced with insulin injections or an insulin pump. Type 1 diabetes often appears suddenly. In children, type 1 diabetes symptoms may be like flu symptoms.

Symptoms can occur a bit differently in each child. They can include:. The symptoms of type 1 diabetes can be like other health conditions. Make sure your child sees his or her healthcare provider for a diagnosis. He or she will give your child a physical exam. Your child may also have blood tests, such as:. The exact cause of type 1 diabetes is not known. Infections or environmental factors may trigger the immune system to destroy the beta cells.

Family history may also contribute to the risk of developing diabetes. The pancreas is an organ located in the upper abdomen, behind the stomach. It secretes two hormones, insulin and glucagon, that help regulate the amount of sugar glucose in the blood.

Insulin helps glucose enter the cells of the body. When glucose enters the cells, it can be used to produce energy, or it can be stored in the liver and muscles as glycogen for later use. Children with type 1 diabetes must take insulin every day — by injection or using an insulin pump — and regularly monitor their glucose levels.

Insulin cannot be taken by mouth because the digestive system would destroy it. By closely managing their blood sugar with insulin, diet, and exercise, most people with diabetes live long, healthy lives.

Over a period of many years, high glucose levels can cause damage to the eyes, kidneys, and nerves. Lifelong insulin treatment is essential for people with type 1 diabetes. Your diabetes team will teach you how to balance insulin, food, and exercise to maintain safe and healthy blood glucose levels. Type 1 diabetes is caused by an immune system attack on the pancreas that impairs insulin production. Experts are not sure why some children develop type 1 diabetes.

Children whose parents or close relatives have type 1 diabetes are at greater risk of developing the disease.