Issues in Diagnosis and Treatment of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus in Childhood

Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus remains one of the most complex chronic diseases in childhood. Although advances in knowledge and technology, as the use of insulin pumps or glucose sensors, have improved the quality of life of patients, the onset of the disease, as well as long-term treatment and diet, are pitfalls for families and clinicians. It is important to bear in mind that acute, life-threatening consequences of uncontrolled diabetes are hyperglycemia with ketoacidosis, both in new diagnosis and in patients already on treatment, and may be hidden by other symptoms. Moreover, treatment with insulin and diet should always be tailored on lifestyle habits and age of the patient. Aim of this work is to briefly summarise and comment what are the worst insidious aspects of Diabetes and what are the best strategies to improve the management of the disease in childhood.