Rising Child Diabetes Alarms Specialist

Doctors of Jayavarman VII Hospital (Kantha Bopha Hospital in Siem Reap) spoke at closing conference of "10,000 riel; 10,000 people" campaign. Photo: Soy Rathanakvisal

PHNOM PENH – Nearly 700 children have been diagnosed in hospitals with Type 1 diabetes over three decades, with a dramatic rise in the last 10 years, a medical expert says.

The chronic condition, also known as insulin-dependent diabetes, was found mostly in children aged four to 14.

They will need an insulin injection every day for the rest of their lives, said pediatrician Khun Leang Chhun, deputy director of the of Jayavarman VII Hospital (Kantha Bopha Hospital in Siem Reap).

The number had increased by 20 cases per year in the decade, said Dr Leang Chhun at a closing conference of the “10,000 riel; 10,000 people” campaign on July 1.

The doctor said an anomalous response of the adaptive immune system damaged beta cells that produce insulin.

“When the beta cells are damaged, insulin will not be produced anymore, which leads to excessive flow of sugar into other cells of the body,” the doctor said.

“Therefore, when there is no insulin in the blood, the sugar will get into the blood, thus increasing the sugar level of the children.”

There was no certain cause but there were factors causing children to develop it from a young age.

“One of the reasons is baby formula. The substance in the formula is similar to that of ancreatic cells (beta cells) and viruses, therefore, the insulin of the beta cells gets damaged when the immune defense kills the virus and other similar cells,” he said.

“This causes the pancreatic cells to not create more insulin — which is the most important factor for taking glucose to other cells that use as energy in the body.”

Parents or guardians should pay attention to four signs of their children and take them to the doctor as soon as possible if there is doubt about Type 1 diabetes. These include getting thinner yet being hungrier and drinking more water and urinating more often.

“They are thirsty because their blood being high in sugar becomes thicker, which cannot be transferred to the other cells of the body. Therefore, the body will use up the fat (lipid) instead, which will leave toxins,” the doctor said.

“If the children have experienced such symptoms for a long time without treatments, they may faint or, even worse, die due to low energy.”

Parents and guardians were encouraged to pay attention to their children’s conditions and help ensure that they get treatment and medicines regularly.

“Parents have to know how to use those medicines and tools, and help them prepare them regularly every day,” he said. 

Heng Sreylin contributed to the story.

Cambodianess

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