Honeymoon period in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus.

The honeymoon period in type I diabetic patients is characterized by the preserved B cell function. Early diagnosis and rigorous insulin therapy at the time of diagnosis determine beginning and duration of postinitial remission. Age and sex, two other important variables for remission, cannot be influenced at all. Thus the possibility for a very young severely decompensated girl to experience a honeymoon period of long duration is significantly less compared to a teenage boy with moderately elevated blood glucose concentration at the time of diagnosis. Immunosuppression is currently under investigation to interrupt the ongoing self-destruction of the remaining B cells. The ultimate goal of therapy is to enhance islet cell growth.