TYPE 1 DIABETES IN CHILDREN: ADULTHOOD AHEAD

Type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) in childhood is one of the most important social and medical problems, given the growing incidence and negative impact on the duration and quality of life. The onset of the disease in childhood associated with significantly reduced life expectancy, largely due to micro- and macrovascular complications, and background pathological processes may occur from the T1DM onset due to suboptimal glucose control. Large registers data indicate that less than half of children with T1DM achieve target glycemic control, and adolescence is characterized by the worst glycemic control among all age groups. In recent years, modern treatment tools have been widely adopted in children with T1DM: insulin pumps, continuous glucose monitoring and automatic insulin delivery systems, which has become possible due to their increased availability, convenience and proven effectiveness. These technologies not only reduce the burden of the disease, but also improve the effectiveness of treatment of T1DM in children, consequently reducing the risks of diabetic complications protecting the health for the upcoming adult life.