Health Info

Early diagnosis: It is a must that if Insulin-Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (IDDM) is suspected that it be diagnosed early so that treatment is initiated on time and complications are avoided. In a child with signs and symptoms of blood sugar over 200 mg/dl or a fasting sugar above 126 mg/dl confirms the diagnosis. Further tests are often required as per the clinical situation. A test called glycosylated haemoglobin is useful in assessing the blood sugar control in the previous 3 months.

Management of diabetic children at school: These children can go to normal school and participate in all routine activities and sports. Teachers should be involved and taught in the child’s management so that measures can be taken if the child develops low blood sugar. The child must never skip a meal at school. If there are vigorous sports at school on a particular day, special precautions are necessary.

Special care is required during illness and if the child is undergoing surgery. These are times when the glucose control can go haywire and predispose the child to Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).

In the hospital: A joint clinic approach is necessary since there are many facets to managing these children. A dedicated team of people including a pediatrician, dietician, and psychologist devote time with each case to offer the best for every child. A case conference is held with the parents to teach them appropriate home care. A hospital’s state-of-the-art laboratory provides able support in investigating these children.

In the last few years, an alarming trend has been an increasing number of cases of adult type of diabetes (type 2 or non-insulin dependent diabetes) seen in older children and young adults. This variety of diabetes is typically seen in obese children and is characterized by resistance to insulin. These children are less likely to suffer from DKA.

Diabetic Diet: Diet plays a major role in controlling the diabetes. The diabetic diet can be used alone. They can also be used combined with doses of insulin or with oral hypoglycemic drugs.

How is diabetic diet planned?

The primary goal of a diabetic diet is to keep up ideal body weight, by supplying required nutrition together with normal sugar levels in blood. A diabetic diet plan is based on age, sex, nature of diabetes, physical activity height and weight. When planning diet, complications like high cholesterol levels, high blood pressure etc should be considered

The dietician will consider such as the proteins, carbohydrates, type of carbohydrate, fats, amount of fiber etc. When planning a diabetes diet you should stick on to some vital factors such as

• You should replace fast foods and bakery products with simple whole cooked cereals.
• You should not eat carbohydrates two hours prior to bedtime.
• Amount of fiber you take in should be at least 40 gram per day.
• You have to go for 4 to5 small mid intervals, instead of going for three heavy meals.
• You should take in fresh vegetables and fruits at least 5 exchange/ day (Carbohydrate foods are given as value per portion, known as the exchange).
• You should limit your alcohol intake and should avoid sweets as far as possible.

With careful planning and monitoring, diabetes can be managed in children.