Adaptation of Children to Newly Diagnosed Diabetes

The most common metabolic disease of childhood is insulin-dependent or Type I diabetes mellitus. The disease usually is diagnosed between infancy and 35 years of age. Two peaks of incidence have been noted in children, at about 5–6 and 11–13 years of age (Drash, 1979). The onset of symptoms is acute and includes polyuria, polyphagia, polydipsia, weakness, weight loss, and fatigue. These symptoms are due to the inability of the individual to metabolize glucose and the subsequent utilization of fat as a source of alternative energy. With severe insulin deficiency, fatty acids are converted to ketones and reach high levels in the blood and urine. Unless this condition is treated, diabetic ketoacidosis occurs, resulting in loss of consciousness, coma, and death.