What causes diabetes mellitus type 1?
Type 1 diabetes may be an autoimmune disease. An autoimmune disease is a condition where your child’s defense system attacks some of his own cells. Normally, when your child’s blood glucose level increases, the pancreas (an organ that lies behind the stomach) makes insulin. In type 1 diabetes, the cells in the pancreas that make insulin are destroyed. Diabetes may also be inherited as it runs in families. What are the signs and symptoms of diabetes mellitus type 1? Your child may have any of the following: • Frequent urination. • Hungry most of the time. • More thirsty than usual. • Losing weight without trying. • Blurred vision (eyesight). How is diabetes mellitus type 1 diagnosed? Type 1 diabetes is diagnosed with blood sugar tests. Caregivers will test your child’s blood sugar twice to be sure that he has diabetes. A positive blood sugar result should be repeated the next day. Your child may have any of the following blood sugar tests: • Casual plasma glucose: This may be the first
