Over the last two decades, the number of children with diabetes has surged, making it one of the most common chronic diseases of childhood. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in three children will be affected by diabetes by 2020.
Ranked 13th in the nation for endocrinology and diabetes care by U.S.News & World Report and recently awarded a CDC grant to establish a comprehensive Center of Excellence in childhood diabetes and obesity, University Hospitals Rainbow Babies & Children’s Hospital is working to change that.
Advancing Treatment and Care
The Center for Childhood Diabetes and Nutrition at UH Rainbow is advancing diabetes care by focusing on prevention, treatment and research of diabetes and its related complications in children.
The hospital is home to the only pediatric endocrinology fellowship program in northern Ohio, and is an active participant in several National Institutes of Health-funded research projects for type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Because of the Center’s researchbased approach, patients are offered the latest therapies and innovations in diabetes treatment— leading to the best possible outcomes for patients.
“The Center is creating a new dimension of diabetes education through community outreach and other programming,” says Leona Cuttler, MD, Chief of the Division of Endocrinology and Metabolism at UH Rainbow. “And established programs are being expanded, as in the case of the UH Rainbow Healthy Kids, Healthy Weight program. This program will soon be available at a new third location to provide families with greater access to one of the area’s most successful programs for kids in combating obesity—a common precursor to diabetes.”
The Center for Childhood Diabetes and Nutrition offers comprehensive inpatient and outpatient services provided by a multidisciplinary team of board-certified pediatric endocrinologists, nurses, certified diabetes educators, registered dietitians, exercise physiologists and weight management specialists. The most recent addition to the team is a pediatric psychologist, who will provide counseling support for patients and families. The team works seamlessly to deliver individualized, patient-centered care and access to the latest therapies based on cutting-edge research. Additionally, parents have 24 hour phone access to a team of doctors and nurses when urgent questions arise.
Understanding Diabetes
It’s important to note that there are two different types of diabetes in children. In type 1 diabetes, formerly known as juvenile diabetes, the pancreas produces too little insulin to regulate blood sugar levels. Treatment involves daily insulin injections, blood sugar testing 4-6 times a day and balancing food intake.
“The focus with type 1 diabetes is to prevent complications through close monitoring by a health care provider, strong control of glucose levels, nutritional advice from an experienced dietitian and the use of new technologies, such as continuous glucose monitors and pumps,” says Sumana Narasimhan, MD, a pediatric endocrinologist with the UH Rainbow Center for Childhood Diabetes and Nutrition. Only about 5 percent of children with type 1 diabetes have a family history of the condition. Although a cure has not yet been found, research at the Center and other locations continues to advance in this area.
Type 2 diabetes is a complex, fairly new phenomenon among children that occurs when the body doesn’t properly respond to insulin. Family history and obesity are significant risk factors for the disease.
“Unfortunately, type 2 diabetes is increasingly common, given the rise in obesity and the prevalence of sedentary lifestyles,” says Dr. Narasimhan.
Most children are treated with oral medications, but some require insulin injections. Embracing a pattern of healthy meal planning and physical activity is crucial to controlling the disease.
“A healthy lifestyle should include young patients and their families,” says Dr. Narasimhan. “For example, encourage everyone to climb the stairs instead of taking elevators; enjoy low-calorie, delicious meals instead of fried foods and take brisk walks instead of playing video games.”
Prevention Is Key
According to Dr. Narasimhan, parents must take an active role in reducing a child’s risk for type 2 diabetes. “Focusing on a normal weight, healthy eating and regular exercise can go a long way, even when there is a strong family history of diabetes,” says Dr. Narasimhan. “Make it a goal to turn off the TV, get off of the couch and take a stand against diabetes and obesity.”