The adolescent diabetic.

Adolescent diabetics present a challange to the attending physician. This is related to the type of diabetes they have, the usual turbulence of this time of life, and their reaction to a chronic condition which imposes certain restrictions. Successful management requires a good physician/patient/family relationship with some firm setting of limits, but avoidance of insistence on control so rigid that frequent hypoglycemia results. The goals of normal growth and activity, as well as a healthy emotional adjustment, should be sought.