Type 1 Diabetes - Autoimmune Condition in Children and Adolescents
Oliwia Kaczmarek
2026-03-15
6 min. read
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Diabetes is a collection of metabolic disorders associated with abnormalities in insulin production or action, resulting in elevated blood glucose levels (hyperglycaemia). One form of this disease is type 1 diabetes, also known as insulin-dependent diabetes, an autoimmune condition that primarily affects young individuals (
Significance and causes of type 1 diabetes
Type 1 diabetes is less common than the most frequently occurring type 2 diabetes and accounts for 10-15% of all cases. Its course is turbulent and the onset of the disease is usually observed between the ages of 10 and 15 (A. Szypowska, J. Mrukowicz 2017). It is caused by the destruction of β cells in the islets of Langerhans, which leads to insulin deficiency. This occurs in an autoimmune process where the body's immune system attacks its own tissues and cells, also producing antibodies. Among the possible causes of the disease are genetic, immunological, and environmental factors, although the exact mechanism has not yet been fully understood. A genetic predisposition to autoimmune diseases also plays an important role (besides diabetes, such as Hashimoto's disease, celiac disease, or hyperthyroidism). Viral infections may also play a role in triggering the disease. Untreated type 1 diabetes is a potentially life-threatening condition, however, appropriate treatment can prevent complications and enable a normal and active life.
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