Diabetes in Children

A. Childhood Diabetes

Initially, two to three years, child looks normal but as he grows up he gets more prone to infections. Usually child is hospitalized for some chest or other infections and investigations will reveal that child is having high Blood Sugar levels called as IDDM.

In school, child may go for frequent urination or may not be able to see Black Board clearly or ifhe was very active in studies or in sports earlier, now feels lazy or tired all these symptoms are suggestive of Diabetes. He should be investigated for Diabetes. Diabetes in children is different than from that of adults as they would need Insulin injections regularly. Junk food, chocolates, ice creams, and cold drinks have to be avoided.

B. Treatment

• Daily Insulin injection
• Diet
• Exercise

Insulin

Children are taught to take injections themselves and Blood Sugar should be monitored regularly to adjust the dose ofInsulin.

Tablets are not effective and should not be given to DiabettC children.

Diet

A Diabetic child should eat small frequent meals to prevellt fluctuations of the Blood Sugar.

Total calories in diet are calculated on child's age and body weight as 1 000 calories at one year and additional 100 calories,food is divIded III 4-6 meals.

Total calories in diet are calculated on the basis of child's and body weight. Diet would very as per child's activity. They can have frequent meals instead of one or two big meals.

Exercise

Exercise is important for a diabetic child but, it should be avoided immediately after injection.

Diabetes-Picnic-cum-Education camps are helpful where team of Doctors, Dieticians, Diabetes educators can discuss openly with children and parents about treatment and other problems.

Counselling of parents to over come the emotional outburst of Diabetic Children is one of the important aspect of Diabetes Management.