| Check-Up: Leading the Way in Diabetes Care |
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Over the last two decades, the number of children with diabetes has surged, making it one of the most common chronic diseases of childhood. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in three children will be affected by diabetes by 2020. Ranked 13th in the nation for endocrinology and diabetes care by U.S.News & World Report and recently awarded a CDC grant to establish a comprehensive Center of Excellence in childhood diabetes and obesity, University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital is working to change that. Understanding Diabetes It’s important to note that there are two different types of diabetes in children. In type 1 diabetes, formerly known as juvenile diabetes, the pancreas produces too little insulin to regulate blood sugar levels. Treatment involves daily insulin injections, blood sugar testing 4-6 times a day and balancing food intake. The focus with type 1 diabetes is to prevent complications through close monitoring by a health care provider, strong control of glucose levels, nutritional advice from an experienced dietitian and the use of new technologies, such as continuous glucose monitors and pumps. Only about 5 percent of children with type 1 diabetes have a family history of the condition. Although a cure has not yet been found, research at the Center and other locations continues to advance in this area. Type 2 diabetes is a complex, fairly new phenomenon among children that occurs when the body doesn’t properly respond to insulin. Family history and obesity are significant risk factors for the disease. Unfortunately, type 2 diabetes is increasingly common, given the rise in obesity and the prevalence of sedentary lifestyles. A healthy lifestyle should include young patients and their families. For example, encourage everyone to climb the stairs instead of taking elevators; enjoy low-calorie, delicious meals instead of fried foods and take brisk walks instead of playing video games. Prevention Is Key You must take an active role in reducing your child’s risk for type 2 diabetes. Focusing on a normal weight, healthy eating and regular exercise can go a long way, even when there is a strong family history of diabetes. Make it a goal to turn off the TV, get off of the couch and take a stand against diabetes and obesity. Have questions about diabetes? Ask Rainbow at RainbowBabies.org. |
Sumana Narasimhan, MD, pediatric endocrinologist with the UH Rainbow Center for Childhood Diabetes and Nutrition, shares facts about diabetes and diabetes prevention tips.