Which chronic disease results from the pancreas failing to secrete enough insulin?

The correct choice is Type 1 diabetes, which is characterized by the pancreas's inability to produce sufficient insulin due to the autoimmune destruction of insulin-producing beta cells. This condition typically manifests in childhood or adolescence, although it can occur at any age. Individuals with Type 1 diabetes require external insulin administration to manage their blood glucose levels effectively, since their bodies cannot produce insulin themselves.

In contrast, Type 2 diabetes is primarily associated with insulin resistance and can involve insufficient insulin production later in the disease's progression. Gestational diabetes is a temporary condition that occurs during pregnancy and involves insulin resistance that can lead to elevated blood sugar levels. Prediabetes refers to a state where blood sugar levels are higher than normal but not high enough to qualify for a diabetes diagnosis, serving as a warning sign for potential development of Type 2 diabetes but not directly related to inadequate insulin secretion by the pancreas. Understanding these distinctions helps clarify why Type 1 diabetes is specifically the result of lack of insulin production.