Diabetes is not only prevalent among adults, but it is also increasingly affecting children. There are many causes of diabetes in children that parents need to be aware of, and the cases are continuing to increase.
According to the Indonesian Pediatric Society (IDAI), diabetes in children has increased up to 70 times since 2010. The increase is thought to be due to children's dependence on gadgets, leading to a lack of physical activity or exercise.
In addition, there are other common triggering factors, such as the consumption of easily accessible sugary foods and drinks by children. Meanwhile, there is no government policy limiting sugar consumption in children. Want to know more about the causes of diabetes in children? Here are some explanations.
Various Causes of Diabetes in Children
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is a chronic metabolic disorder that can potentially disrupt a child's growth and development. There are two types of diabetes that are commonly found: type 1 and type 2. Type 1 diabetes is mainly caused by genetic and autoimmune factors, while type 2 diabetes is caused by an unhealthy lifestyle and obesity.
Usually, type 1 diabetes affects children. However, it is not impossible for children to also suffer from type 2 diabetes. Here are the causes of diabetes in children:
1. Failure to produce insulin
The exact cause of type 1 diabetes is still unknown, but the main cause is usually due to the pancreas not producing enough insulin. This is because the immune system, which functions to fight bacteria and viruses, mistakenly destroys the insulin-producing cells (islets) in the pancreas, resulting in a lack of insulin.
Insulin is a hormone that helps cells absorb glucose. If a child lacks insulin, the sugar in their body will accumulate and cause diabetes.
2. Genetics or heredity
As previously mentioned, the main factor for type 1 DM is genetic. Some genes, such as HLA-DR3 or HLA-DR4, are usually associated with autoimmune diseases that cause diabetes.
Diabetes is a disease that can be inherited. If parents or siblings have diabetes, either type 1 or type 2, there is a high risk of passing on this disease to their children. It should be noted that type 2 diabetes has a stronger potential for inheritance.
3. Race
In the United States, type 1 diabetes generally affects white-skinned children. This is also related to the previous factor, namely genetics. Other studies have also shown that Japanese people, who are of Asian descent, have the HLA-DR9 gene, which also has a risk for developing diabetes.
4. Viral infection
Being infected with certain viruses can trigger autoimmune damage to the islet cells, resulting in a lack of insulin production.
5. Obesity
Obese children are at higher risk of developing type 2 DM. This is because the fat tissue located between muscles and around the abdomen tends to cause insulin resistance.
6. Wrong eating habits
Children usually like sweet foods and drinks. If the consumption of sugary foods is not controlled, the child is at risk of developing type 2 DM. In addition to sugary foods, consuming red meat or processed meat can also trigger diabetes.
7. Lack of physical activity
Many parents offer gadgets to children as entertainment media. As a result, they will be lazy to be active if the child starts to become addicted to gadgets. However, physical activity is very important for burning fat that accumulates in the body, which can potentially cause diabetes.
8. Low birth weight or premature birth
Babies born with low birth weight are at a higher risk of developing type 2 diabetes. Similarly, premature babies born between 39 to 42 weeks of gestation are also at risk of developing this disease.
Now that you know the causes, let's also learn about the symptoms of diabetes in children on this page: "Recognize Early Symptoms of Diabetes in Children".
So, those were the factors that can cause diabetes in children. Although diabetes can be inherited due to genetic factors, mothers can reduce the risk of diabetes in their children by adopting a healthy lifestyle and encouraging their children to exercise regularly.
Photo source: Apollo Hospitals Blog
References:
- IDAI. Accessed 2023. Diabetes Mellitus in Children and Adolescents.
- Mayoclinic. Accessed 2023. Type 1 diabetes in children.
- Mayoclinic. Accessed 2023. Type 2 diabetes in children.
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