Childhood Diabetes – Diagnosis and Treatment at Nyle Hospital

One of the most common forms of endocrine disorder in children is the diabetes. Paediatric endocrinologists are experts who diagnose and treat complex conditions of childhood diabetes. Two types of diabetes that influence the lifestyle of children include:

Type 1 Diabetes in Children

Formerly known as juvenile diabetes is a condition occurring when the pancreas fail to produce sufficient amount of insulin hormone. Children with such problem need regular blood sugar examination and insulin therapy throughout their lifespan along with proper diet plan.

Type 2 Diabetes in Children

This kind of disorder occurs when insulin is not produced adequately or it does not function properly. Due to these reasons, accumulation of glucose happens in the bloodstream. However, this condition is somewhat easy to manage than Type 1 through change of diet plan, strenuous exercise and retain of normal weight. Besides these, some children may be subjected to diabetes medication or insulin injection.

Hazards of Delayed Diagnosis

Conditions with late diagnosis of Type 1 diabetes and rarely, late diagnosis of Type 2 diabetes may lead to the development of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Studies show that DKA is the predominant cause for childhood mortality in most of the nations. If insulin is not produced properly, the body is not able to use blood glucose for releasing energy. Due to this, the body starts breaking down other cells and tissues for release of energy. This results in the production of ketones (poisonous chemicals). Piling up of such toxic chemicals causes DKA, making the body acidic. One the other hand, if diagnosis and management of diabetes is done early, DKA can be preventable.

Sign and Symptoms of Diabetes in Children

Number of symptoms helps to suspect the presence of Type 1 diabetes:

Frequent urination in more quantity (polyuria)

Dryness of throat or mouth

Often feeling thirsty (polydipsia)

Increase in appetite (polyphagia)

Weight loss

Feeling weak and tired

Diaper rashes in infants or toddlers

Other Complex Symptoms

The following symptoms occur when diabetes is not diagnosed nor treated at the early stage:

Sudden and more loss of weight

Nausea and vomiting

Drowsiness

Stomach aches

Heavy and rapid breathing

Parents should always be aware of the 4Ts in children to avoid unwanted loss:

Toilet – Frequent use of toilet, frequent change of nappies for babies or unusual bedwetting by dry child

Thirst – Despite drinking more water, the thirst of the child remains unquenched

Tiredness – Unusual tiredness in child

Thinner – Becoming very lean due to weight loss

The medical studies indicate that when a child shows any one of the 4Ts, parents must immediately visit an endocrinologists and request for diagnosis tests.