Archive · 29 Dec 2025
Type 5 Diabetes: Causes, Symptoms, and Complications
Type 5 diabetes is a new type of diabetes that was recently recognized in January 2025.
It is different from Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes because it is caused by not getting enough food, especially when you are young.
This makes the pancreas, which helps control sugar in the blood, not work as well.
People with Type 5 diabetes are usually very thin and come from places where many people do not have enough to eat.
The symptoms are similar to other types of diabetes, like being very thirsty, tired, and having blurry vision.
It can also cause problems with the heart, kidneys, and eyes if not treated properly.
Doctors now know more about this type of diabetes, so they can help people better.
Type 5 diabetes was officially recognized in January 2025 by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF).
It is caused by chronic undernutrition during early childhood and adolescence, leading to impaired pancreatic development.
Symptoms include increased thirst, frequent urination, fatigue, blurred vision, and a body mass index (BMI) less than 18.5.
Unlike Type 1 diabetes, it has a low risk of ketosis due to underdeveloped pancreatic cells.
Complications include cardiovascular disease, kidney damage, nerve damage, and eye-related issues, manageable with regular blood glucose monitoring.
- Who
- People in low- and middle-income countries, especially in South-East Asia and sub-Saharan Africa
- What
- Type 5 diabetes, a distinct form of diabetes linked to chronic undernutrition
- When
- Officially recognized in January 2025
- Where
- Primarily affects regions with high levels of undernutrition
- Why
- Results from prolonged undernutrition, particularly during early childhood and adolescence, impairing pancreatic development
- Official Recognition
- January 2025 by the International Diabetes Federation (IDF)
- Primary Affected Regions
- Low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), especially South-East Asia and sub-Saharan Africa
- Distinguishing Feature
- Low risk of ketosis due to underdeveloped pancreatic cells
- Typical BMI
- Less than 18.5
- Underlying Cause
- Chronic undernutrition during early life
- Common Complications
- Cardiovascular disease, kidney damage, nerve damage, and eye-related complications
- Management Cornerstone
- Regular self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG)