Diabetes in Children
Alejandra Moreno, pediatrician
More than 177,000 people under the age of 20 in this country suffer from some form of diabetes. While children have long been diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes, health experts have recently seen an increase in the number of children and adolescents diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes, which is frequently linked to obesity and lack of activity.
Diabetes is a chronic disease where the body does not produce or properly use insulin, a hormone needed to convert sugars, starches and other foods into energy. Type 1 diabetes, commonly known as childhood diabetes, occurs when the pancreas stops producing insulin. People who have Type 1 diabetes are dependent on insulin shots on a daily basis. It typically occurs in children and young adults before the age of 30. Type 2 diabetes, once known as adult-onset diabetes, occurs when the body doesn’t respond properly to the insulin and in time the pancreas cannot produce enough insulin to meet the body requirements. Type 2 diabetes, which occurs more often in obese or physically inactive people, is becoming more and more prevalent in children and teens.
Until recently, only one to two percent of children with diabetes were diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes. In some geographic areas, up to 45 percent of children with diabetes are now diagnosed with a form of diabetes other than Type 1; most of these cases are diagnosed as Type 2 diabetes. A child is highly at risk for Type 2 diabetes when he or she is obese, in other words, if his or her BMI (body mass index) is above the 85th percentile for his or her age. Other risk factors include a family history of Type 2 diabetes, not enough physical activity and bad food habits.
Children with diabetes Type 2 and their families face unique challenges as they deal with the disease. The first step in managing the disease is eating a healthy diet and increasing physical activity levels. These steps will not only help regulate weight, but also blood sugar, which affects other parts of the body. If untreated, diabetes can lead to problems with the eyes, heart, kidneys, nerves, liver, blood vessels etc. Managing the disease with a physician supervision can help avoid these potential problems.
For children and teens at risk of Type 2 diabetes, the best answer is often a change in lifestyle. By lowering their weight and body fat with a balanced diet and regular exercise, children and teens can drastically decrease their risk of developing Type 2 diabetes. For children and teens who have already developed Type 2 diabetes, it is important to check blood sugar levels every day, stay active, maintain a healthy weight, and eat healthfully. Children may require medication in order to help them produce more insulin, reduce their insulin resistance, or to help slow the absorption rate of carbohydrates.
While diabetes can cause serious physical damage if left untreated, it can be managed, minimizing its long-term effects on the body. Make sure to tell your pediatrician if your child experiences symptoms such as an increase in the frequency of urination and thirst, increased tiredness, blurred vision, or nausea. Symptoms are mild often develop slowly, so talk to a physician about any of these warning signs so your child can be evaluated for diabetes.
Dr. Moreno is now accepting new patients and most insurance. Her office is located in suite 120 of the Steinle Medical Building at South Texas Regional Medical Center in Jourdanton. Please call (830) 769-1045, Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. to schedule an appointment.