Diabetes mellitus during adolescence

Poorly controlled diabetes may affect the tempo and course of pubertal growth and development. Pubertal changes induce glucose metabolism or specific insulin resistance. Because puberty greatly increases the risk of diabetes complications, the management offered at this transitional age is critically important. An understanding of the environmental and developmental influences on diabetes control and the effect of the physiologic changes of puberty improves the approach to diabetes management in the adolescent with diabetes.