Future Woman
Future Woman

Paediatric Diabetes


👤Dr Vijay Viswanath 🕔03/11/2014
Tweet Share
Detailed News

Paediatric Diabetes

Control blood sugar, save the child

Children are the main victims of Type 1 diabetes. Most children need two or more doses of insulin per day and if blood glucose is well controlled in them, they can live a full and productive life

By Dr Vijay Viswanathan MD, PhD, FICP, FRCP

Type 1 diabetes mellitus usually occurs in children when there is almost complete absence of the hormone, insulin, in the body. This is usually due to destruction of most of the pancreas which secretes insulin.

When more than 80% of the pancreas is destroyed, diabetes occurs. Lack of insulin causes the classical features of increased thirst and urination along with severe weight loss. The child may become comatose and need care in an intensive care unit. Since these symptoms are due to insulin deficiency, treatment consists of replacing insulin. This is the reason why life-long insulin injections are given for these children. Most children need two or more doses of insulin per day.   

Insulin and normal blood sugar levels are essential for normal growth and puberty. If blood glucose is well controlled in these children, they can live a full and productive life. Usually, this involves checking their blood glucose in a drop of blood taken from fingertips using an instrument called the glucometer. Ideally, glucose checking should be done at least two times a day in insulin-needing patients. If these measures are not taken and diabetes is uncontrolled, the patient can develop various complications involving the eye, kidney and nerves. Since most of these complications occur silently, it is advisable to check for them regularly.

Insulin dosage and glucose levels are related to the food intake. Therefore, it is mandatory for the patients to undergo nutritional counselling and learn to match food intake and insulin requirements. Since most of the patients with Type 1 diabetes are children, the whole family needs to understand the problem and get thoroughly educated on all aspects of the treatment. Good family support is vital to good diabetes control.

While insulin injections are the current treatment, many other methods of insulin delivery are being researched. Insulin pumps are available, which deliver insulin. Also, inhaled insulin and insulin in the form of pills are being studied. There are tissue markers (HLA types), different types of antibodies to body’s own tissues (auto-antibodies) and some genes which are found to be strongly associated with the development of Type 1 diabetes in close relatives of patients. Clinical trials are also on to see if Type 1 diabetes can be prevented from occurring. Till such time as these trials bear fruit, we need to fully support and give the best treatment and hope of life to these young patients.

(The writer is Head and Chief Diabetologist, MV Hospital for Diabetes & Prof. M Viswanathan Diabetes Research Centre, Chennai)

 

Widget is loading comments...

Related Stories

  • Eyes need protection from weather changes

    Since eyes are very delicate and are in constant contact with the changing environment, they need protection especially during summer and winter. Take precautions to avoid damage to eyes due to hot and cold weather ... Read more
  • Trapped in the net

    About 42% of online adults use multiple social networking sites. The majority of the users are under the age of 30 although the number of older users is on the rise. A look at how does this behaviour affect our physical and mental health ... Read more
  • Blood test for many cancer types

    Scientists have identified more than 800 markers in the blood of cancer patients that could help lead to a single blood test for early detection of many types of cancer in future, according to researchers at the National Cancer Research Institute (NCRI) Cancer Conference in Liverpool. This study, by ... Read more
  • Condoms effective, reliable

    It is found that condoms are highly effective in preventing unwanted pregnancies and transmission of HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) ... Read more
  • Alcohol releases the 'beast in you'

    It’s a fact that violence decreases in people when spirituality steps in. But recent researches say violence increases even in spiritually inclined people if they consume alcoholic beverages. ... Read more
  • Balanced diet benefits skin

    Natural remedies and exercise help you get a radiant look, but a balanced diet is playing a greater role in maintaining skin beauty ... Read more
  • Health Fruit

    Do you love eating pineapple? If yes, then continue to enjoy this fruit as it is the powerhouse of nutrients and can be a great friend of yours in fighting various ailments ... Read more
  • Beauty Care

    However well cared and glowing your face may be, and your hair looking lustrous, if your hands and feet are not looked after, it will detract greatly from your whole appearance. The following are some body lotions which can be made in the house and tried for a better body health. ... Read more
  • Skip classes and get doomed

    Skipping classes is thrill which every student gleefully engages in during his college life. In most cases there are no reasons for cutting classes. But beyond the thrill there is a reality that it affects the student’s overall performances when it becomes habitual ... Read more
  • Painless Labour

    Labour is painful. But Dr Joy’s Hos[pital assures a painless labour. It says the pain of labour is an obscenity. It serves absolutely no function. Like the phylogenetic remnant, vermiform appendix, it should be cut off when it offends. ... Read more