Diabetes Mellitus in Infants and Children

Abstract

Diabetes mellitus may be diagnosed before clinical symptoms appear only by early application of the glucose tolerance test or testing for glucose in the urine following the evening meal, or both.

The author explains the natural course of diabetes mellitus and discusses specific laboratory procedures which should be carried out for accurate appraisal of the patient's condition.

Specific objectives of therapy are to restore normal fluid and electrolyte balance and cardiovascular and renal function and to establish normal glucose metabolism.

Calculation of specific fluid and electrolyte needs is based on the combination of daily maintenance needs and replacement of abnormal losses.