ABSTRACT
This chapter outlines a case scenario on diabetes followed by a highly detailed explanation of the condition and its management, presenting the symptoms in a way that are likely to be encountered in general practice. Prompt diagnosis of type 1 diabetes mellitus in children poses a significant challenge because of the non-specific symptoms with which it may initially present. Parents are often aware that something is not right, as the child may complain of vague symptoms of abdominal pain, headaches and tiredness or present with constipation or oral and vaginal thrush, among other conditions. Missed and delayed diagnosis can have devastating consequences for the child in the form of diabetic ketoacidosis. A urine test will confirm the presence of glucose, and should be followed by a single, immediate capillary blood glucose test. The role of patient and carer education is of paramount importance to successful management of diabetes.
