Type 1 diabetes mellitus is an autoimmune disease that causes insulin dependence due to failure of the beta cells of the pancreas to secrete the hormone insulin. Type 1 diabetes usually occurs in childhood, <20 years of age, which is why it was previously called juvenile diabetes, and is more prevalent in the Caucasian population than in any other ethnicity (Diabetes Basics, n.d.). The key to successful management is early diagnosis, patient education and, most importantly, patient compliance. The patient will commonly present multiple symptoms, the most common being the 3 Ps: polyuria, polydipsia and polyphagia. However, subjective symptoms may include reports of fatigue, abdominal pain, bedwetting, weight loss, mood changes, and blurred vision. Objectively the signs will be hyperglycemia, confirmation of weight loss, abnormal laboratory values ​​such as an elevated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) level, and abnormal urine results. After evaluating a patient with, or suspected of, type 1 diabetes, ask about recent infections, including yeast and/or illnesses. Assess whether they have had wounds that become infected more easily or take longer to heal. Also ask if they have had any changes in their vision or sense of touch (Ignatavicius, 2012, p. 1418). Diagnosing type 1 diabetes in a child or adolescent is usually simple and generally requires few diagnostic tests. A good indicator of diabetes is an abnormal or hyperglycemic blood glucose test: random blood glucose test (any time) ≥ 200 mg/dl or fasting blood glucose test (8 hours after meal) ≥ 126 mg/dl. HbA1c measures glycated hemoglobin in the blood to identify the average plasma glucose concentration over a 2 – 3 month period, a result of 6.5% - average blood sugar...... middle of paper ... ...g with Diabetes. (n.d.). Tight control of diabetes. Retrieved October 12, 2013, from http://www.diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/treatment-and-care/blood-glucose-control/tight-diabetes-control.html insulin glargine. (n.d.). Davis Drug Guide. Retrieved November 2, 2013, from http://www.drugguide.com/ddo/ub/view/Davis-Drug-uide/51868/all/insulin_glargine?q=Lantus insulin lispro, rDNA origin. (n.d.). Davis Drug Guide. Retrieved November 2, 2013, from http://www.drugguide.com/ddo/ub/view/Davis-Drug-uide/51852/all/insulin_lispro_rDNA_origin?q=humalogDiabetes Care. (n.d.). Care of Children and Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes. Retrieved November 3, 2013, from http://care.diabetesjournals.org/content/28/1/186.full#T1Diabetes Basics. (n.d.). Genetics of diabetes. Retrieved November 13, 2013, from http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-basics/genetics-of-diabetes.html