Medical Neglect in Children and Adolescents with Diabetes Mellitus

Diabetes mellitus was a fatal disease for thousands of years, but the discovery of insulin in 1921 and major substantial improvements in care have made living with diabetes a chronic rather than fatal disease for many people, including children and adolescents. Diabetes mellitus is a lifestyle-altering diagnosis for the entire family. In some families, children and adolescents do not get the daily care they depend upon. This article reviews the consequences of medical neglect of children with diabetes and the optimal community response to concerns of medical neglect of diabetes. Criteria for placement in foster or substitute care are suggested.