Diabetes has been on the rise among children in recent years - symptoms and treatments!

 Diabetes has been on the rise among children in recent years - symptoms and treatments!

Type 2 diabetes in children has increased worldwide for the past 20 years.

If you think diabetes only affects the elderly, think again. Because diabetes, especially type 2 diabetes, has been falling prey to a large number of children in the last few years.

India is already considered the capital of diabetes due to the number of diabetic patients in the country every year as Indian children are suffering from type 2 diabetes.

According to a recent report published by the Canada Journal of Diabetes, type 2 diabetes in children worldwide has increased significantly over the years. Children of African, Arab, Asian, Hispanic, tribal, or South Asian descent are at increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes, the report said. 

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease while type 2 diabetes is usually caused by obesity, poor diet and lifestyle factors.

How type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes impact children?

The incidence of type 1 diabetes has been increasing in recent times like type 2 diabetes, although not at the same rate, at a rate of 3-5% per annum, senior paediatrician, Dr Abhishek Kulkarni says. As far as India is concerned, out of 1 lakh children in the age group of 0-14 years, 3 people are newly diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. However, prevalence data for type 1 diabetes in certain states suggest 18 per 1 lakh children. However, Abhishek Kulkarni says there is currently no consistent national data.

Common symptoms of diabetes in children

Here are some of the symptoms of diabetes in children to look out for excessive thirst, frequent urination or urge to urinate, increased hunger, sudden weight loss, lethargy, irritability or behavioural changes, blurred vision eyesight, stomach ache, and bruises healing very slowly. Abhishek Kulkarni advises parents to take their children to a doctor immediately if they exhibit any of the above symptoms and get their children tested for both types of diabetes.

What is the treatment?

- Type 1 diabetes requires basal-bolus insulin therapy with multiple daily dose injections or continuous insulin infusion via insulin pumps. 

- Type 2 diabetes can be effectively managed with diet and lifestyle changes including metformin, and GLP1 receptor analogues.

Anti-Diabetic Diet

Children with type 1 diabetes should eat healthy foods, especially foods with a low glycemic index. Children suffering from type 2 diabetes can also follow the above diet. However, to control obesity and overweight, reducing total caloric intake on a dietary basis for people with type 1 diabetes, may need 45 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise or sports at least 5 days a week. Experts advise that children suffering from diabetes should follow healthy eating principles under the supervision of their parents.*