Type 2 diabetes in children is one of the most challenging experiences for both the child with this chronic condition, as well as the parents and family. This form of diabetes is more commonly associated with adults but now is on the increase in children, fueled mainly by the obesity crisis.
The disease is still not fully understood by the medical world, and ongoing studies are being done in order to find more clues towards better treatment.
In children who do not have diabetes, insulin is produced in the pancreas and released into the blood as soon as the glucose level starts to rise after eating. In type 1 diabetes, there is little or none produced and insulin-injections are needed to try to keep blood sugar levels within the normal range. In type 2 diabetes, however, insulin is produced but the process is faulty leading to insulin-resistance.
What to watch out for:
- overweight or obesity
- a very strong family history of diabetes, 45-80% have a least one parent with it
- mother had gestational diabetes (during pregnancy)
- acanthosis nigricans is a marker for insulin-resistance. It shows up as darkened pigment and thickened velvety skin around the neck, armpits and groin.
- unusual tiredness
- occurs more often in children with an ethnic background
- excessive hunger
Keeping an eye out for these symptoms as this means diagnosis and treatment can commence as swiftly as possible. The presence of this condition exposes children to decades of damage from elevated blood sugar levels.
Type 2 can be managed successfully through:
- regular activity to help stabilize blood glucose levels
- a healthy eating plan to minimize or prevent the progression or development of health complications and to help with weight loss
- medication, including insulin-injections for some children
Whether insulin-injections are needed or not depends on how high the blood sugar levels are when this condition is diagnosed. Insulin is often the first choice because most of the oral blood glucose lowering medications have not been tested in children. Although metformin is prescribed for children in some countries.
In spite of all the challenges that type 2 diabetes poses, with the right treatment, a young child can still go about life with relative ease. It can be a stressful time for parents and family and this is where your Health Care Provider can be very helpful. He can also give you information about diabetes camps that are run by various organizations; your children can have fun at camp while learning about looking after themselves.
Treatment is really a family business when a child is diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. Family members need to be educated and learn how to give injections and check blood sugar levels. Also to understand the importance of why a healthy eating plan together with increased physical activity is necessary to improve insulin-resistance and reduce health complications in all family members.
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