There has been a steady rise in the cases of diagnosed diabetes symptoms in children. Almost 90% diagnosed cases of diabetes in children are the cases of type 1 diabetes. In this type of diabetes the pancreas of the body becomes unable to produce insulin.
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition. It means a condition in which the immunity system of the body attacks the organs or tissues of the body.
In case of type 1 diabetes the insulin producing cells are destroyed.
How Common Is Type 1 Diabetes In Children
Childhood diabetes is not as common as adult onset diabetes. Still there are marked variations around the world.
- In Wales and England 17 children in every 100,000 develop type 1 diabetes every year
- This figure reaches to 25 per 100,000 in Scotland
- In Finland This figure reaches to 43 per 100,000
- This figure is just 3 in every 100,000 in Japan
In the previous 30 years there has been a 3 folds increase in the diagnosed cases of childhood diabetes.
In America and Europe, the cases of type 2 diabetes are even seen in young people as well. A part of this is caused because of the increasing obesity. However obesity is not the reason of increasing number of type 1 diabetic cases.
Cause of Type 1 Diabetes
The exact cause of diabetes in children is still not known. However it is believed that it involves a combination of environmental triggers and genes. Mostly type 1 diabetes is developed in those children who already have a family history of diabetes.
What Are Diabetes Symptoms In Children
The main symptoms of type 1 diabetes are the same as of type 2 diabetes. Diabetes symptoms in children start to onset within few weeks. These are
- Excessive thirst
- Frequent urination
- Weight loss
- Extreme tiredness
Some typical diabetes symptoms in children are
- Headaches
- Tummy pains
- Behavioural problems
In few cases the most obvious diabetes symptoms in children onset when diabetic acidosis starts to onset. This scenario is not very common in developed countries because of better awareness of diabetes symptoms in children.
Doctors must consider the possibility of diabetes symptoms in any child who has unexplained history of illness or has tummy pains for some weeks.
How To Treat Diabetes In Children
Most children suffering from type 1 diabetes require insulin treatment. Every child has an individual insulin routine that is prescribed to him by the medical team. Mostly fast acting insulin is prescribed for the day whereas slow acting insulin are prescribed for night. Infants don’t need a night injection but they require one as they get older. Generally in the first few years after diagnosis the children require just a small dose of insulin. This period is termed as honeymoon period.
Along with the insulin treatment, better glucose control and avoidance of low blood sugar level is important. This is critically important as many complications of diabetes arise as the length of time diabetes stays increases.