Children suffer from chronic diseases

Diabetes and allergies in children: children suffer from chronic diseases

08/06/2013

Many chronically ill children are struggling with diabetes, allergies and rheumatism. The Brandenburg State Pharmacist Chamber now pointed that out. Astrid Markow, a spokeswoman for the chamber, explained in Potsdam: „For parents and physicians it is important to note that children are not small adults.“ Every tenth child in Germany suffers from a chronic illness.

Markow argued that when treating children their particular organism and metabolism must be addressed. Diabetes is more common. The spokeswoman said: „Reasons are lack of exercise and poor nutrition - but this is still being researched intensively.“ Thus, the problem of chronic diseases is constantly increasing in children, but not to the same extent as in adults. A representative survey conducted by the opinion research institute Forsa on behalf of Techniker Krankenkasse (TK) revealed that every third German respondent feels chronically ill.

The University Hospital for Children and Adolescents in Leipzig also found that more and more children in this country are affected by type 1 diabetes. „The numbers are growing at a frequency of one to two percent per year“, said the director of the clinic, Prof. Wieland Kiess to the news agency „dpa“. According to figures from the hospital report in 2010, around 5,500 children and adolescents in Brandenburg had to go to hospital because of a chronic illness. According to the Ministry of the Interior what about a share of about 1.5 percent. (Sb)

Picture: Helene Souza