Diabetes is a chronic disease that impairs the body's ability to use food properly. The hormone insulin, which is produced in the pancreas, helps the body to convert food into energy. In people with diabetes, either the pancreas doesn't make insulin or the body cannot use insulin properly. without insulin, glucose - the body's main energy source, builds up in the blood. Children with diabetes usually have insulin-dependent (type 1) diabetes, in which the pancreas doesn't make insulin. They need daily insulin injections to enable their bodies to use food properly. Two kind of problems occur when the body doesn't make insulin. Hyperglycemia occurs when blood glucose levels get too high, for example: when the body gets too little insulin or too much food. Untreated, hyperglycemia may develop into ketoacidosis, a very serious condition. Hypoglycemia is the exact opposite of hyperglycemia. It occurs when blood glucose levels get too low, for example: When the body gets too much insulin or too little food. Hypoglycemia is the most common problem in children with diabetes. This also can be a very serious condition if not treated promptly. Usually it is mild and can be easily treated by giving the child juice and a snack or in an emergency, glucose tablets. If a diabetic is unconscious, this is an "extreme emergency". One must give the diabetic a glucagon injection and call for emergency assistance. Diabetes is not contagious. One cannot "catch" it from someone who has it. Diabetes can run in families, or since diabetes is an autoimmune disease the researchers are looking in to someone getting it after a virus. Researchers are still studying how and why diabetes occurs in certain children and families. Although diabetes cannot be cured "YET".... It can be controlled. Research has shown that maintaining good control of blood glucose levels can prevent long-term complications of diabetes. Diabetes care is more flexible than it used to be. With good medical care and support from adults, children with diabetes can lead healthy, active, fulfilled lives.