Alcohol and T1DM — RACP Paediatrics MCQ

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ModerateEndocrinologyAlcohol and T1DMRACP Paediatrics

A 10-year-old girl with type 1 diabetes asks about alcohol. What is the main acute risk of alcohol consumption in a young person with T1DM?

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Correct answer: E — Severe hypoglycaemia (alcohol inhibits hepatic gluconeogenesis)

Alcohol inhibits hepatic gluconeogenesis, increasing the risk of severe delayed hypoglycaemia (often nocturnal) in T1DM. Adolescents with T1DM should be educated about this risk, the importance of eating carbohydrate when drinking, and ensuring trusted friends know about their diabetes.

Reference: ISPAD – 2024 – Diabetes in Adolescence