Researchers have discovered that Type I diabetes may be more prevalent than previously believed after finding a number of deaths directly related to the disease without a prior diagnosis for that patient. Dr. Zabiulla Ali, the Assistant Medical Examiner for the Office of Chief Medical Examination said that at least one third of the people who died from ketoacidosis over a six year period had no prior history of diabetes in their file. But, Dr. Ali cautions that there is no way to determine which type of diabetes the patient may have had however, very high blood sugar levels are indicative of Type I diabetes in most cases.

The study, published in the American Journal of Forensic Medicine and Pathology cautions that adults need to have their blood sugar levels checked on a regular and scheduled basis, especially if there is an increased risk of diabetes or current symptoms of the disease. Risk factors include: family history and genetics, geography, viral exposure, low vitamin D levels and if mom was younger than twenty five during her pregnancy. Being born with jaundice may also push the risk factors higher as well. Symptoms to watch out for include: frequent urination, constant thirst and nausea and vomiting.

At one time, Type I diabetes was known as juvenile diabetes because it was typically diagnosed in childhood. Type II diabetes was thought to be an "adult" disease because most people were diagnosed with that disease after age forty. However, with obesity rates increasing, Type II diabetes has been seen in increasingly younger children. Researchers were surprised by the increased number of people who have been diagnosed with Type I diabetes.

Type I diabetes causes a severe insulin deficiency called ketoacidosis which can cause serious complications, including death. When the cells of the body do not get enough glucose (sugar) to burn as energy they start burning fat instead. The byproduct of that process results in ketones which are acids and can become harmful if they build up and concentrate in the blood. That increase in acids in the blood can cause the chemical imbalance that leads to diabetic coma and eventually, death.

Dr. Ali's research identified ninety two cases of diabetic ketoacidosis. Of those cases, only sixty had been previously diagnosed with diabetes while thirty two had no prior history. Nearly half of those had few if any risk factors and had not been evaluated for the disease in the years prior to their death. Blood sugar levels should be checked at least yearly, however, for those in higher risk groups should be checked more frequently.