Type 1 Diabetes Causes
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Causes of Type 1 Diabetes
Most cases of type 1 diabetes are caused by the body's immune system attacking and destroying the islet cells that make insulin. These cells are in the pancreas. The current theory is that some people have genes that make them prone to getting type 1 diabetes. For these people, certain things in the environment may trigger an immune system attack on the pancreas. The trigger or triggers have yet to be identified, but may be certain viruses, foods, or chemicals.
Some studies suggest that an enterovirus infection-which is common and usually causes Diarrhea and fever with or without rash-may contribute to the development of diabetes in some children. Children with relatively high birth weights are more likely to get diabetes than are those with lower weights.
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