In people with diabetes, either the pancreas doesn't make insulin or the body cannot use insulin properly. Children with diabetes usually have type 1 diabetes, in which the pancreas doesn't make insulin. They need daily insulin shots to help their bodies to use food. Type 1 diabetes is one of the most common chronic diseases in children. Nearly one child out of every 600 develops it.
Diabetes can run in families, and researchers are still studying how and why it happens.
Although diabetes cannot be cured, it can be treated. With family support, daily care and treatment, your child with diabetes can lead a healthy, active, and fun-filled life. Untreated, high blood sugar may develop into ketoacidosis, a very serious condition. Ketoacidosis is caused by very high levels of ketones in blood and urine. Ketones are waste products that build up when the body burns fat for energy.