Which type of diabetes is classified as autoimmune and insulin-dependent?

The correct answer is Type 1 diabetes, also known as juvenile diabetes. This form of diabetes is characterized primarily by an autoimmune response where the body's immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys the insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas. This results in little to no insulin production, making individuals with Type 1 diabetes dependent on exogenous insulin for survival and blood glucose management.

Type 1 diabetes typically manifests during childhood or young adulthood, which is why it is often referred to as juvenile diabetes. It contrasts with Type 2 diabetes, where insulin resistance is more common, and the body still produces some insulin. Moreover, gestational diabetes occurs during pregnancy and is generally temporary, often resolving after childbirth. Lastly, Type 1.5, or latent autoimmune diabetes in adults (LADA), has characteristics of both Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes but is not typically classified solely as autoimmune and insulin-dependent at onset.

Understanding the distinctions among these types of diabetes is critical, especially in identifying the underlying mechanisms and subsequent treatment approaches.