Question:
My 2 year old niece has recently been diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes.
This is the first case in both family lines. All the information I have
seencase in both family lines. All the information I have
seen states that Type 1 diabetes is hereditary. Is there a chromosome check
that can verify Type 1 diabetes, or can this be a mis-diagnosis due to low
blood sugar and a bladder infection?
Answer:
Most new onset cases of Type 1 diabetes have no first degree relative with
the same condition so that the onset in your niece is not surprising. Given
that she indeed has diabetes, it is exceedingly unlikely that it is any variant
other than Type 1. There are, it is true, some very rare forms of
'mitochondrial diabetes' which require special laboratory facilities to
diagnose and even then afford no special insights into treatment. The
simplest way of setting your mind
at ease about the diagnosis would be to ask her physician to have an
'antibody' test done. Her diabetes doctor should be able to tell you how
to get this done. It is very improbable indeed that a combination of
low blood sugars and a urinary tract infection could be misinterpreted as
diabetes.
DO'B
Original posting 16 Nov 96
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