Children with Diabetes

Type I diabetes: Compared with Type II diabetes, which accounts for 90 % of people with diabetes, Type I diabetes was not a big concern before. However, since the disease rate of Type I has increased three to four times higher than before for the last 10 years, vaccine research has been active accordingly.

The exact cause of Type I diabetes is not known. However, viruses that have injured the pancreas, and destruction of insulin-making cells by the body`s immune system may play a causative role. Type I develops most often in children because it has a lot to do with immune system.

Symptom of Type I: Symptoms include excessive hunger, thirst and urination. Weight loss and extreme fatigue are also its symptoms. Symptoms also include nervousness and pains in leg or abdomen. 25% of people, who develop Type I for the first time, go to the emergency room due to diabetic ketoacidosis. The patient’s mouth smells like acetone. Sometimes, a person can lapse into a coma accompanied by a headache. The development process of Type I is divided into four stages; acute attack, alleviation, recurrence, and aggravation.

Increase of Type II in children: Ten years ago, under 1% of children with diabetes developed Type II. However, it increased to 10 %. Type II often develops in adults over age 40 because it is caused by genetic factors, bad eating habit, drug overuse, and stress. However, these developments of Type II are found in children these days. Because Type II develops gradually, half of people with diabetes do not recognize whether they have diabetes or not.

Treatment & Prevention: Both Type I and Type II have different treatment and prevention for children. For an adult, meal plan is important. However, for children, it is realistically difficult to restrain meals. Restricted meal plan may have side effects, such as problem in growth. For children with diabetes, either insulin control or physical exercise can help to treat diabetes. Children with diabetes should do physical exercise more than 30 minutes everyday.

It is important for children with diabetes to treat emotional pain as well. Many children with diabetes mentally suffer due to the prejudice attached to diabetes. There is no one certain treatment for diabetes due to its assumed cause in immune system. Experts advise that children in their earlier age should avoid virus infection, and drink clean water along with breast milk.

(Advisors: Professor Yang Sae-Won, Pediatrics in Seoul National University Hospital, Professor Lee Hyun-Chul, Internal Medicine in Yonsei University Hospital, Professor Lee Ghi-Up, Internal Medicine in Ulsan Medical School, Seoul Chungang Hospital)

Yun Sang-Ho ysh1005@donga.com