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Presentation and phases of diabetes
Partial remission phase
Definition
The phase after the diagnosis of type 1 diabetes during which there may be continuing and effective secretion of endogenous pancreatic insulin
- Often called the ‘honeymoon period’ when glycemic control seems inappropriately easy
- Has been defined in the past as when the insulin dose required to maintain excellent metabolic control is less than 0.5 units/kg body weight per day
- Approximately 30–60% of children and adolescents demonstrate a partial remission phase most often during the first 1–6 months after starting insulin treatment
- Opinion has varied about whether insulin treatment should be withdrawn temporarily during this phase
- Currently there is no clear evidence of any treatment strategy which significantly prolongs the partial remission phase (there is weak evidence to suggest that maintenance of normal BG levels with insulin injections helps to protect islet cell function)
- Beta-cell function becomes almost unmeasurable in the great majority of children by 1–2 years after diagnosis
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