Diabetes in children
Type 1 diabetes (T1D) is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks and destroys insulin-producing beta cells in the pancreas.
Type 2 diabetes (T2D) is a multifaceted disease, due to a combination of genetics and environment/lity.
Both types of diabetes are at high risk in children, but the extent of the impact of genetics and lifestyle are different. According to Dr. Ravi Malik, Director of Malikx radi Healthcare, Delhi (India), genetics play a major role in T1D, while T2D is affected both genetically and lifestyle.
Genetics and lifestyle in type 1 diabetes
Genetic factors dominate in T1D, about 50% of the risk of disease.
Related genes: Genes in the human white blood cell antigen (HLA) complex account for 3050% of the risk. In addition, more than 60 other genetic variants also contributed to increased risk but had a smaller impact.
Family history: Children with parents or siblings with T1D are at higher risk than the general population, from 0.4% to 510%.
Environmental and lifestyle factors: Environmental and lifestyle factors can trigger diabetes but do not directly cause disease, including infection, early diet or exposure to toxic factors.
twin data: The coincidence rate in twins with eggs is about 50%, increasing to 65% over the course of life, showing that genetics are very important but not the only factor.
T1D is mainly genetic, lifestyle is just the starting factor.
Genetics and lifestyle in type 2 diabetes
T2D in children is strongly influenced by both genetics and lifestyle.
Genetic factors: If one parent has T2D, the child has a 40% risk of developing the disease in life; if both parents have it, the risk increases to 70%. Many gene variants affect beta cell function or insulin sensitivity, of which the TCS7L2 variation is considered the strongest risk factor. Some cases are due to single-adsor gene (MODY) mutations.
Lifestyle factors:
Obesity is the most important risk factor.
Laziness of exercise and a diet high in saturated fat, refined grains, and sugary drinks increase the risk.
Some other factors: mother's diabetes during pregnancy, low or high birth weight, lack of exercise, insufficient sleep, watching too much TV.
T2D is the result of a combination of genetic and lifestyle factors, with lifestyles playing an important role in promoting disease.
Note
According to Dr. Ravi Malik, diabetes in children is becoming a serious health problem not only in India but globally. The disease can lead to blindness, kidney failure, increased risk of cardiovascular disease, stroke and amputation.
T1D: Genetics play a major role; lifestyle is only indirectly affected.
T2D: Genetics and lifestyle are affected; lifestyle changes are the key to prevention and control.
Understanding the causes will help parents and doctors take appropriate precautions and care to protect children's long-term health.
