The global medical community has officially recognized a new form of diabetes that stems from an unexpected cause: long-term undernutrition. Designated as Type 5 diabetes, this condition primarily affects populations in low-income regions where malnutrition remains widespread, presenting a unique challenge to healthcare systems worldwide.
What Exactly is Type 5 Diabetes?
Type 5 diabetes, formally known as malnutrition-related diabetes mellitus (MRDM), represents a distinct category separate from the more familiar Types 1 and 2. The condition develops when chronic nutrient deficiencies during childhood or early development stages impair the pancreas's ability to grow and function properly.
The International Diabetes Federation officially recognized this condition in 2025, acknowledging what researchers had observed for years in specific populations. Current estimates indicate that between 20 to 25 million people worldwide are living with Type 5 diabetes, with the highest concentrations found in parts of Asia and Africa where malnutrition rates are particularly severe.
How Type 5 Diabetes Develops
The mechanism behind Type 5 diabetes differs fundamentally from other forms of the disease. Unlike Type 1 diabetes, which involves the immune system attacking insulin-producing cells, or Type 2 diabetes, characterized by insulin resistance often linked to obesity, Type 5 diabetes originates from physical damage to pancreatic development.
When children or developing fetuses experience prolonged undernutrition, their pancreas fails to develop fully. Since the pancreas produces insulin—the hormone essential for regulating blood sugar levels—this impaired development leads to lifelong insulin insufficiency. The result is elevated blood sugar levels, creating the hallmark condition of diabetes.
Identifying Type 5 Diabetes: Symptoms and Risk Factors
Recognizing Type 5 diabetes requires understanding its unique presentation. Patients typically exhibit classic diabetes symptoms including increased thirst, frequent urination, blurred vision, persistent fatigue, headaches, and slow-healing wounds. However, they also display distinct characteristics linked to malnutrition.
Key indicators include low body mass index (BMI below 18.5), impaired skeletal growth, enlarged salivary glands, and changes in skin or hair texture. Most importantly, patients have a documented history of malnutrition and typically receive their diagnosis before age 30.
Healthcare professionals note that people with Type 5 diabetes often don't have ketones in their urine at diagnosis, which helps distinguish them from Type 1 diabetes patients. This distinction is particularly crucial in regions with limited diagnostic resources.
Diagnostic Challenges and Treatment Approaches
Diagnosing Type 5 diabetes presents significant challenges, especially in low and middle-income countries where the condition is most prevalent. Blood glucose testing remains the primary diagnostic tool, with readings above 200 mg/dL indicating diabetes.
In wealthier nations, healthcare providers use additional tests including glycated hemoglobin (A1C), urinalysis, and antibody screening to differentiate between diabetes types. However, in resource-limited areas, the absence of these advanced tests often leads to misdiagnosis, with Type 5 frequently mistaken for Type 1 diabetes.
Current management typically involves insulin therapy, but researchers are actively investigating alternative treatments. Oral medications and other accessible options are being studied to improve patient outcomes in regions where regular insulin therapy may be challenging to maintain.
Long-term Implications and Global Response
Like other forms of diabetes, Type 5 carries risks of serious complications including cardiovascular disease, kidney damage, nerve damage, and eye problems. Early detection and proper management are crucial for preventing these long-term health consequences.
The scientific community continues to study the precise mechanisms linking nutrient deficiency to pancreatic dysfunction. This research aims to develop better prevention strategies and more effective treatments for this unique form of diabetes that disproportionately affects the world's most vulnerable populations.
As global health organizations increase their focus on Type 5 diabetes, improved diagnostic criteria and treatment protocols are expected to emerge, offering hope to the millions affected by this condition rooted in nutritional deprivation.
