[Insulitis and peracute diabetes mellitus (author's transl)]

We report on the case of a 10-month-old infant with Down's syndrome and acute insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus, who died of hyperosmolar diabetic coma 4 days after admission to the hospital in spite of intensive therapy. Characterizing this disease, a lymphocytic infiltration of the islets of Langerhanns with destruction of the islets was found. The specific localization of the inflammatory infiltrates as well as the histological findings correspond with experimental immune-insulitis in aminals, suggesting that immunological mechanisms play an essential pathogenic role. Virus etiology, diagnostic procedures, and therapeutic approaches are discussed.