Rise in diabetes in children is a mystery

Type 1 diabetes: Increase in diabetes disorders puzzling

08/11/2013

The number of children with type 1 diabetes early on has increased significantly. Unlike type 2 (nutritional „Age sugar“However, this disease is not associated with obesity and unhealthy diet. The exact causes, however, give physicians puzzles. Certain viral diseases may be related to the metabolic disease.

Diabetes also affects the youngest
In Germany, more and more children develop type 1 diabetes. In addition, the disease occurs earlier and earlier. Not infrequently, the little ones are only two or three years old. At the cause, doctors and researchers are in the dark. „Why the type 1 diabetes increases - for the answer you can still win a Nobel Prize, "said Thomas Danne, chief physician at the Children and Youth Hospital at the Bult in Hannover and CEO of diabetesDE - German Diabetes Help in advance of the World Diabetes Day on November 14 to the news agency „dpa“. „It's like a puzzle. "

While in the media the picture of the overweight diabetic patient is often sketched, who moves hardly and with generous access to sweets, in the „Diabetes parent-Journal“ completely different cases described. These include, among others, little Ann-Fabienne, who was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at the age of seven. The girl is a gymnast and can lead a largely normal life despite illness.

Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes are very different
Diabetes is the most common metabolic disorder in children. Type 1 diabetes affects around 30,000 minors in Germany. The number of new cases is between two and four percent per year.

While type 2 diabetes is mainly associated with physical inactivity and an unhealthy diet, the causes of type 1 diabetes are still unknown. The latter is also referred to as juvenile diabetes or insulin dependent (IDDM), as it already shows in childhood, adolescence and young adulthood and patients need to perform insulin for a lifetime. Most likely, an autoimmune antibody process leads to the development of metabolic disease, in which the immune system β -Cells of the pancreas destroyed, which are responsible for the body's own insulin production. However, this process is not known.

In type 2 diabetes, being overweight usually means that the body's own insulin is no longer effective (insulin resistance) and the body can no longer produce enough insulin. This disease affects children less often.

Politics is required in the fight against diabetes
„We have a problem with obesity and children. But diabetes is only the final stage, "reported Vice-President of the Research Unit Diabetes at the Helmholtz Center in Munich, Michael Hummel, told the news agency. „It's not true that children with type 2 diabetes are on the rise. "And yet: „We're seeing more and more type 2 patients aged 25 and 35 years. "

In the fight against type 2 diabetes, around 20 states have imposed a compulsory levy on sugary drinks. Recently, Mexico also passed a tax on calorie-fast foods and sugary sodas. According to the World Agriculture Organization (FAO), around one third of people in the country are overweight. A „criminal“-Taxation of unhealthy foods could be a way in this country, said Danne. A restriction on the opening of fast food restaurants is also possible. The policy is now required. „What people like to do in Germany is printing colorful brochures. Other countries have a national diabetes plan. "

In view of the current coalition talks between the Union and the SPD, Danne makes a clear statement to the politicians in a statement from diabetesDE - Deutsche Diabetes-Hilfe: „The best way to stem the diabetes wave is to prevent it. Therefore, the anchoring of diabetes in a new prevention law, which must also be geared Preventive, urgent. However, this alone is not enough, because the task of the new legislative period is to tackle diabetes screening in a structured way, to promote health services research, and to network the care of diabetes at all levels - general practitioner practice, diabetological focus practice and clinic.“ Danne advocates the introduction of a national diabetes plan. „In addition, patient self-management and self-help must also be strengthened. The new coalition can only meet this challenge through the widespread disease of diabetes through concerted action with the aid of a national diabetes plan.“

While type 2 diabetes can help exercise and diet, there is no hope for recovery in type 1 diabetes. „The only thing we can do is give insulin, "Danne told the news agency. „What we can offer are technical solutions. "

Cause of type 1 diabetes could be related to viral infection
In Finland, most children have type 1 diabetes. Why, no one knows so far. „We know that certain viral diseases promote the risk, "Danne said, adding about 20 genes to type 1. Potentially, vitamin D deficiency and nutritional components may be contributing factors. „The only certainty is: sweets do not matter, "explained the expert. „There are a lot of open questions. "

Type 1 diabetes already affects infants. For families, the disease is often a burden, because six times a day, the blood sugar must be measured and injected about four times insulin. This also means nocturnal missions that can be equally stressful for parents and children. In addition, urge to move, growth and infection have an unpredictable effect on the metabolism.

In the worst case, the child may die from over- or under-sugar. Even with responsible young people, there are always life-threatening incidents. Thus, alcohol and Extasy increase the risk of hypoglycaemia. „There someone danced through three nights. If he has an extreme hypoglycaemia, nothing will save him, "explained Danne, reporting another tragic case: A 17-year-old sailor noticed that he was showing signs of hypoglycaemia and wanted to swim to the shore, but there the student never arrived.

If those affected are properly medicated and educated about all risks, they can usually lead an almost normal life. Tragic fates like that of the 17-year-old are exceptions but also show how insidious diabetes can be. (Ag)