Diabetes in puberty.

Successful treatment of type I insulin-dependent diabetes (IDDM) is of particular importance during puberty for the achievement of normal growth and sexual maturation and to reduce the risk of long term microvascular complications. Yet, with the onset of puberty, glycaemic control as judged by serial glycated haemoglobin (HbA1) concentrations, may deteriorate.1-3 This deterioration is often attributed to the psychological problems of adolescence and poor compliance with diet and insulin dosage.4 5 However, over the last few years it has become clear that this is not the complete explanation and that the endocrine changes of puberty may also contribute to the poor glycaemic control, disordered growth and sexual maturation in IDDM.