Remember that the information presented here is not intended to replace the care of your own doctor. Before making any changes in the management of your own illness, you should consult your physician or other qualified medical professionals.
Question
I have heard endocrinologists say that approximately 50% of children who have
parents with diabetes will become afflicted with
type 1 diabetes
at some point in their lifetime. I would like to know the
official percentage. I am wondering if that is close.
Answer
According to
Medical Management of Type 1 Diabetes
by Bruce Bode, 6% of children with a father who
has diabetes and 3% of children with a
mother who has diabetes will develop
type 1 diabetes during their lifetime. Other rates are:
identical twins — 25-50%; siblings of
someone with type 1 — 6%; and in general, offspring — 5%. This is
in contrast to a general population rate of 0.3-0.4%.
