Diabetes Juvenile Diabetes:  Diabetes can develop at any age. Traditionally diabetes is classified into four types, of which two are pretty common. Type 1 diabetes develops quite early in life, say between the ages of 5 to 15 years, whereas the more common type 2 diabetes develops much later in life in 40s. But they are not separated by this temporal profile alone. The characters of the diabetes are also quite different. Type 1 diabetes develops because of loss of insulin producing cells in the body and hence they need to be supplied with insulin from outside (in the form of injection), whereas type 2 diabetes develops predominantly because of a defect in the action of insulin. They are also different in many other aspects as well, like physical profile, type of complications and the timing of them, need for insulin etc. The blueprint of the defect is found in the genes of one's cells. This is especially true for type 2 diabetes.
Juvenile diabetes, in common parlance means type 1 diabetes. But this does not really mean that all children developing diabetes are of this type only. In fact a sizable number of juvenile diabetes are actually the adult-onset or type 2 diabetes developing at an early age. The risk of developing type diabetes is high if one is having a parent with a history of type 2 diabetes. And it is extremely high if both the parents are having type 2 diabetes and in such a situation the type 2 diabetes usually appears at an early age mimicking the juvenile diabetes. MODY And The Genetics Of It:
 There is a rare and special type of diabetes that develops in the juvenile age group, called Maturity Onset Diabetes of the Young, known by the acronym MODY. Character wise it is akin to mild type 2 diabetes (which affects the adults), but developing in the childhood. The defect in the genes are multiple in the case of type 2 diabetes. But for the MODY, it is actually a single defect, making it easily detectable by some special genetic testing. Which Children Are Vulnerable To Develop Juvenile Diabetes?
It is difficult to identify the child who is prone to develop the disease. Type 1 diabetes occurs because of destruction of the insulin secreting cells because of some antibodies which develop inside the body. And by measuring the antibody in children who do not yet have the disease it is possible to predict the development of type 1 diabetes much before it appears. Other than this, if someone in near relatives has got type 1 diabetes, he or she is vulnerable to develop the disease. What Are The Symptoms And Diagnosis Of Juvenile Diabetes?
 In contrast to adult-onset or type 2 diabetes, type 1 diabetes develops with profuse amount of symptoms. The child suddenly becomes very ill with vomiting and becomes unconscious. After admission in hospital the sugar level is found to be very high along with alarming amounts of ketones and acids in the blood. This bolt from the blue in the form of this life threatening emergency though perplexes the parents, fortunately can be treated adequately in a modern hospital. The diagnosis of type 1 diabetes is of course done by an elevated level of sugar in the blood and a classical development of the disease with an emergency. Along with this it is also quite common to have the typical antibodies (GAD antibodies, IA2 antibodies) associated with the disease, which is quite diagnostic of the condition. How Is Juvenile Diabetes Treated?
It is easy to comprehend that as the children with type 1 diabetes do not have enough insulin secreting cells to meet the demand of the body, they would require to have the same hormone being delivered according to the need from outside, usually through injections. And as insulin is a life saving hormone it would be disastrous to stop the insulin at any point of time. Diabetes, especially if uncontrolled or untreated is known to have a number of specific problems or complications developing with time, like kidney problems, eye problems, heart problems, nerve problems etc. The major effort to avoid these known complications is directed toward maintaining a good sugar control. In addition to a good sugar control patients are required to keep some other important points also under check like blood pressure, urine albumin concentrations, etc. These however require a meticulous approach under the care of a qualified specialist targeting a strategy to avert the complications by usage of some special medications for the purpose. What Should Parents Keep In Mind?
 The parents of children with type 1 diabetes should be especially vigilant of the fact that their ward should never miss insulin shots as that will endanger their life. Maintaining a good diet and exercise schedule is important, but patients being in the tender age many a times fail to adhere to it. Parents should strive to implement this without being too harsh keeping in mind the tender age and try to be sympathetic and sensitive to the demand of the patient. They should take comfort in the well established fact that type 1 diabetes if well controlled can enjoy a long and healthy life. ********************************************* More On Childhood Diabetes | 
