Diabetes on the rise among children

Medics have raised a red flag over the rising number of children diagnosed with Diabetes in Uganda – with many of them testing positive just weeks after birth.

According to Dr Thereza Piloya a paediatrician at Mulago national referral hospital, the number children with diabetes is overwhelming.

Statistics from the Uganda diabetes association on the status of type 1 diabetes among children show that the cases have almost tripled.

The number of cases has risen from 100 children to over 1000, between children ranging from newborns to 19 years.

Recent reports link the rising diabetes burden among children to early milk consumption.

"Its not only the environment that sparks off diabetes in children, the other thing being investigated is cow milk consumption when introduced early to infants," Piloya said.

Piloya said a fact-finding mission in 20 health centres across the country showed that medics and parents have not committed to screening for diabetes.

"For any sick child as you do a malaria test, do a blood sugar test to rule our diabetes before giving medication," she said.

Dr Lumu William the president Uganda Diabetes Association noted that the burden is not only among the children but also in adults.

"Among adults over 1 million are living with diabetes, with 500,000 more undiagnosed," he said.

Prof Moffat Nyirenda the non-communicable diseases team leader at the Uganda Virus Research Institute blamed the diseases burden on stereotypes.

Diabetes is among the non-communicable diseases that affects a number of people although scientists believe this can only be regulated with a change in lifestyle.