Management of Juvenile Diabetes

Diabetes increases the risk of complications during pregnancy and delivery. Appropriate management, including medical education therapy, accurate insulin regiment and cautious obstetric management of diabetes achieves a successful pregnancy outcome for the mother and the child.

Little boys and girls develop more commonly Type 1 diabetes and some other types too. Type 1 diabetes is due to b–cell destruction of immune system dysfunction, which requires lifelong insulin therapy. This in childhood is usually present with symptoms of polyuria and diabetic ketoacidosis. Type 2 diabetes in children is increasing in parallel with increase in childhood obesity.

Diabetic control often deteriorates in adolescence particularly in girls. Severe hypoglycemia is common in kids. Psychological problems associated with diabetes include transient adjustment disorders, manipulative behavior producing non-compliance and deliberate insulin over dosage or omission during established diabetes.

Dietary management in children should ensure flexibility and variability according to the individual child needs and wishes.