Type 1 Diabetes: Children Living With The Disease: Cause

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Cause

Type 1 diabetes develops when your child's pancreas stops producing enough insulin. Insulin lets blood sugar—also called glucose—enter the body's cells, where it is used for energy. Without insulin, the amount of sugar in the blood rises above a safe level. As a result, your child experiences high and low blood sugar levels from time to time. High blood sugar can damage blood vessels and nerves throughout the body and increases your child's risk of eye, kidney, heart, blood vessel, and nerve diseases.

Experts do not know what causes type 1 diabetes. But the cause may involve family history and maybe environmental factors like diet or infections.

Causes of high blood sugar

• Skipping a dose of insulin or eating more than usual
• Experiencing emotional stress
• Having an illness, such as the flu or an infection, especially if your child is not eating or drinking enough
• Taking certain medicines that can raise blood sugar levels, such as medicines that reduce swelling and inflammation (corticosteroids) and growth hormone.
• Experiencing the dawn phenomenon or the Somogyi effect, which causes high blood sugar in the morning
• Entering puberty. Hormonal changes affect how well the body uses insulin. These changes can cause higher blood sugar levels.

Causes of low blood sugar

• Taking too much insulin
• Skipping or delaying a meal or snack
• Being more physically active than usual without eating enough food
• Taking certain medicines that may lower blood sugar levels, such as those that reduce fever and pain

Last updated:	January 19, 2007
Author:	Robin Parks, MS
Reviewed By:	Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics, Alan C. Dalkin, MD - Endocrinology
Editors:	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS, Pat Truman, MATC