№ 38General Pediatrics18 min read
Childhood type I. (insulin-dependent) diabetes mellitus
1. Big picture
Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) is the most common endocrine disease of childhood and the most important pediatric diabetes topic for the exam. It is caused by autoimmune destruction of pancreatic β-cells, leading to absolute insulin deficiency.
The child cannot move glucose into insulin-dependent tissues, so the body behaves as if it is starving despite hyperglycemia.
Core clinical pattern:
Polyuria + polydipsia + weight loss ± vomiting/abdominal pain/Kussmaul breathing
→ type 1 diabetes mellitus ± diabetic ketoacidosis
The examiner wants you to know:
- How to recognize new-onset diabetes.
- How to diagnose it quickly.
- Why diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) happens.
- How to manage DKA safely.
- How to treat chronic T1DM with insulin, diet, monitoring, and education.
- How to recognize and treat hypoglycemia.
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