Prevalence of Type 1 Diabetes in Children

While Type 1 diabetes is a rare condition, it is the most common chronic and life threatening condition seen in children. Since it is so rare, and most children diagnosed have no family history of Type 1 diabetes, it is seldom suspected. Every parent should know the signs and symptoms of this dangerous disease to ensure fast identification and treatment.

About Type 1 Diabetes

• According to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, more than 15,000 children in the United States are diagnosed with Type 1 (previously Insulin-dependent or Juvenile) diabetes each year---that's 40 kids per day.

  In total, about one child of every 600 develops Type 1 diabetes in the United States.

  Type 1 diabetes, where the pancreas stops making insulin, is a relatively rare condition and should not be confused with the more common Type 2 diabetes, where the body is unable to adequately utilize the insulin produced by the pancreas.

  There are two kinds of Type 1 diabetes. Immune-mediated is the more common of the two. It is an autoimmune disorder, also known as Type 1A, where antibodies attack and destroy the islet cells, which produce insulin in a child's pancreas. It is unclear why the immune system attacks the pancreas, but it is believed that the child must have the genetic predisposition (or ability) to develop Type 1, and it emerges following an environmental trigger like a virus. The other kind of Type 1, where antibodies are not found, is known as idiopathic Type 1; the pancreas stops making insulin, but for no known reason. This is known as Type 1B and makes up about 10 percent of people with Type 1 diabetes.

The Importance of Insulin

• Insulin, made by the pancreas in response to the intake of carbohydrates/sugar, allows sugar to enter the cells and generate energy for muscles and tissues. If there is no insulin, the sugar cannot enter the cells and do its job, and you end up with dangerous levels of sugar in the blood stream, which can lead to life threatening complications.

Treatment

• There is no cure for Type 1 diabetes. Children with Type 1 diabetes must have insulin introduced from outside the body via shots or pump. No change in diet, no oral medications or treatments, and no exercise regimen will eliminate the need for insulin supplied from outside the body. Along with multiple daily shots or continual infusion of insulin through a pump, the child with Type 1 diabetes must check his blood glucose levels via a finger poke at least six times per day. Insulin must be matched to carbohydrate intake, blood sugar level and activities. The blood sugar must be tracked around the clock to be aware of and address dangerous high or low blood glucose levels. High blood sugar levels, besides threatening organ function, can lead to diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA,) which can cause cerebral edema, coma or death. Too-low blood sugar levels can lead to seizure or death.

  Taking care of a child with Type 1 diabetes is constant, diligent work. If managed properly, the child can expect to lead a long, normal, happy life.

Symptoms

• Symptoms are often mistaken for the flu---and in fact, sometimes appear to be triggered by the flu or other virus. Take these symptoms very seriously as things can turn bad quickly. If it's an evening or weekend, take the child to the emergency room. Waiting until the doctor is in has proven tragic to more than one family. The symptoms---frequent urination, excessive thirst, lethargy, increased hunger or reduced appetite (due to nausea), unexplained weight loss, blurry vision, fruity odor on the breath, labored breathing, confusion, irritability or marked change in normal demeanor, yeast infection and unconsciousness---usually appear quite suddenly.

Complications

• With the advance in medical treatments, fewer long-term complications are seen today than were in decades past. The ability to measure the blood sugar at home and provide long-acting basal insulin for around the clock control, along with fast acting bolus insulin to cover meals, has improved diabetes maintenance.

  Nevertheless, be aware of potential long-term complications of Type 1 diabetes. Even with improvements in maintenance, there are no guarantees that complications will be avoided in the long-term. Potential complications include kidney damage, nerve damage, heart disease, eye damage, foot damage, skin conditions and infections, tooth and gum disease and osteoporosis.

Significance

• Type 1 diabetes accounts for only five to ten percent of total diabetes diagnoses---the rest being Type 2. Again, Type 1 diabetes onset is often mistaken for flu by parents. If any of the classic symptoms of diabetes appear along with the flu-like symptoms, get your child to the doctor immediately. This is a medical emergency. Untreated, Type 1 diabetes will lead to death.