[Diabetes mellitus in childhood and adolescence (Update 2019)]

Abstract

In contrast to adults, type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1D) is the most frequent form of diabetes in childhood and adolescence (>95%). After diagnosis the management of children and adolescents with T1D should take place in highly specialized pediatric units experienced in pediatric diabetology and not in private practices. The lifelong substitution of insulin is the cornerstone of treatment whereby modalities need to be individually adapted for patient age and the family routine. Diabetes education is essential in the management of patients with diabetes and their families and needs to be performed by a multidisciplinary team consisting of a pediatric endocrinologist, diabetes educator, dietitian, psychologist and social worker. The Austrian working group for pediatric endocrinology and diabetes (APEDÖ) recommends a metabolic goal of HbA1c ≤7.0%, International Federation for Clinical Chemistry (IFCC) <53 mmol/mol, for all pediatric age groups without the presence of severe hypoglycemia. Age-related physical, cognitive and psychosocial development, avoidance of acute diabetes-related complications (severe hypoglycemia, diabetic ketoacidosis) and prevention of diabetes-related late complications to ensure high quality of life are the main goals of diabetes treatment in all pediatric age groups.

Keywords: Insulin pump treatment; Metabolic control; Severe hypoglycemic events; Type 1 diabetes.