Endocrinology

Liqun Bai, MD, is investigating ways to prevent type 1 diabetes.

The Steele Center is creating a comprehensive program for children with juvenile diabetes. This is the most common, chronic disease of childhood. Throughout the U.S., one in 500 children suffers from juvenile diabetes.

In Arizona, that number is one in 400 and in some Native American communities the number is as high as one in 200. Juvenile diabetes can be controlled but the consequences of the treatment take its toll. The disease is complex and complications are common. The best way to care for children with juvenile diabetes is in a comprehensive setting, including a pediatric diabetologist, nutritionist, diabetes educator and social worker.

Through the generosity of the community, the Steele Center has resources to begin building such a program.In 2001, Angel Charity for Children, Inc. raised $750,000 to renovate 3,300 sq. feet of outdated laboratory space to house the Angel Wing for Children with Diabetes. The Father's Day Council Tucson provides annual ongoing support to the Steele Center to make the program a national model.

In addition to the clinical services, the new juvenile diabetes program at the Steele Center will include basic science research - to better understand the causes and complications of juvenile diabetes and clinical research - to test new types of therapy for children with diabetes. Sherman Garver, PhD, is investigating premature atherosclerosis, a common complication for children with diabetes. Liquin Bai, MD, is studying the gene that is responsible for triggering the body’s response to low blood sugar, to help prevent hypoglycemia in children with diabetes. Eventually our researchers will be able to conduct clinical trials, testing new therapies such as inhaled insulin with our patients with diabetes.