Tests conducted on children between the age group of 0-15
On the occasion of World Diabetes Day, SRL Diagnostics released a three year long pan India data mining survey (2012 – 2014) on Hba1C tests that revealed that around 66.11 per cent Indian children possess abnormal levels of sugar in their body. Approximately 17 thousand samples of children were screened during this period for the analysis. This test is done to check and monitor response to diabetes therapy and diagnose prediabetes and diabetes in children. Rapid urbanisation, change in eating habits and shifting more focus to indoor activities have resulted in dramatic lifestyle changes leading to chronic condition associated with abnormally high levels of sugar in children.
The study also found that a total of 51.76 per cent samples having abnormal HbAlc levels was found in male children. The analysis showed that prevalence of this abnormality was highest among children in Western zone of the country.
Zone wise analysis of SRL’s study
Western zone had highest percentage of abnormality with 68.48 per cent while Eastern and Northern zone had 61.48 per cent and 64.71 per cent respectively. Among the four zones, Southern India showed the lowest percentage of abnormality with 54.95 per cent.
Dr Leena Chatterjee, Director – Fortis SRL Labs & SRL Strategic Initiatives says, “Diabetes has emerged as a major burden for India over the last two decades. This disease further leads to other disorders which are afflicted with children like obesity, obstructive sleep apnoea, nausea, drowsiness, weight loss, frequent urination in large amounts etc. As they reach adulthood, the problem related to kidneys and strokes starts amalgamating. These days, even Type 2 diabetes is being easily developed in children which has been mostly common in adults. One of the reason is it being hard to monitor what children are eating when they are at school or when they visit friends. Children and teenagers who are diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes have a short life expectancy. It is advised that those with Type 2 diabetes in their families must visit their physicians frequently and make healthy choices earlier in life.”
“One should not be alarmed with a diagnosis of pre-diabetes. It is a warning sign and a chance to make changes for the better. We understand that it’s pretty difficult to cut out sugar completely, but one can start by skipping it in milk, choosing non-sugary breakfasts, avoiding juice beverages, and limiting bread, pasta and rice.” added Dr Chatterjee.
It is essential that children and adolescents get themselves tested if they are overweight with body weight exceeding 120 per cent of the ideal weight or they have positive family history among first and second degree relatives and if they have signs of insulin resistance.
EH News Bureau