Development of diabetes in children

The most common form of diabetes in children is type 1 diabetes .The largest percentage of children being afflicted with diabetes have type 1 diabetes.

It evolves from inability of the pancreas to produce insulin. In Type 1 diabetes, the insulin beta cells which produce insulin in the pancreas are destroyed by the body’s immune system, resulting in little or no insulin production. When this happens, the sugar level in the bloodstream rises and if untreated, diabetes kills.

Type 1 diabetes is referred as an autoimmune disease and this is a condition where the body’s immune system attacks one of the body’s own tissues or organs. Children diabetes is not common and there are marked variations around the world. In the last 30 years there has been a threefold increase in the number of cases of childhood diabetes.

Type 2 diabetes has for the first time been seen in young people. This is more or less caused by the increasing obesity in affluent societies. Obesity does not explain the increase in figures seen in Type 1 diabetes in children who make up the majority of new cases diagnosed.

Causes of childhood diabetes

The cause of childhood diabetes is not properly understood but is likely to involve a mix of genes and environmental triggers. It is interesting that majority of children who develop Type 1 do not have a family history of diabetes.

Symptoms

The symptoms to watch for are the same as those in adults and they include:-

- Excessive thirst
- Unexplained weight loss
- being tired
- Frequent urination.

Symptoms seen only in children include:-

- Headaches
- Behavior problems.
- Tummy pains

Diabetic acidosis can occur before diagnosis and this is a life-threatening condition that can occur in people with type 1 diabetes but also sometimes can occur in people with type 2 diabetes.

This happens when a lack of insulin leads to:-

- High level of glucose in blood.
- ketones are detected in urine and blood
- Acids known as ketoacids are in the blood.

This condition needs immediate hospitalization for urgent treatment with fluids and intravenous insulin.
Diabetic acidosis can be avoided by proper treatment of Type 1 diabetes. Ketoacidosis can also occur in a well-controlled diabetes situation if you get a serious infection or other illness like stroke or heart attack which can cause vomiting and resistance to the normal dose of injected insulin.

Doctors consider the possibility of diabetes in any child who has unexplained history of illness or tummy pains for some time.

Treatment of diabetes in children.

Managing childhood diabetes is specialized and most children are cared for by hospitals rather than by their family doctors. Children with diabetes require individual insulin treatment routine which will be planned with the hospital diabetes team.

Commonly used are the frequent daily dosage regimes of fast-acting insulin during the day and slow-acting insulin at night. Toddlers do not need insulin injections at night although they will eventually need one as they grow older.

Today many children use continuous insulin pumps. In the first year after diagnosis your child will need a small dose of insulin. This is termed as the honeymoon period. It is important to practice good glucose control and avoid low blood glucose attacks. Complications of diabetes increase with the length of time the affliction has been present in the body.

Parent’s role.

Children have problems with:-

- Compliance with instructions
- Activity levels
- and diet restrictions

The immediate family and child’s hospital medical team can help. Diabetes can put families under a lot of strain and access to backup support is very important. This may be from social services, the hospital team or the family doctor…

To understand all the different aspects of diabetes and its treatment need patience but this will be of benefit to all of you.

The hospital diabetes team can help you with:-.

Learning how to administer insulin injections which are usually injected into the skin over the abdomen or the thighs. Knowing symptoms of low blood sugar including diabetic acidosis and what action to take. Glucose should always be available and within easy reach.

The child should be taught how to self administer insulin when old enough. There should be regular doctor visits as the treatment may require adjustment as the child grows.

Last but not least, the school the child attends and his or her friends need to know signs of low blood sugar and what action to take.

Author: Obed W. Kilonzo
Article Source: EzineArticles.com
Provided by: Digital Camera Information