TYPE 1 DIABETESE IN CHILDREN

Diabetes is one of the commonest problems of the world right now . About 13000 children are diagnosed as diabetics in America each year .  Type 1 ( due to defective insulin production by beta cells ) diabetese is considered commonest cause of diabetes in children  . It is also called juvenile diabetes and tends to begin in childhood . In it the pancreas does not produces sufficient insulin due to the destruction of pancreatic cells , which is autoimmune mediated . insulin is required to normalize the level of sugar in blood .

SYMPTOMS

Increased thirst

Frequency of micturation

Weight loss

Nausea / vomiting

Easy fatiguability

Irritability or behavioural problems

Blurred vision

COMPLICATIONS

Include multi organ damage

Damage to the eyes and nerves

Kidney failure

Oral thrush

Gangrene of the limbs

Increased risk of heart problems

TREATMENT

Making a diabetic diet plan for the child

Monitoring blood sugar levels on regular basis

Urinary ketone testing if required

Regular exercise

Giving insulin via subcutaneous injections

Regular check up of the child

MUMPS : COMMON IN CHILDREN

Mumps is a viral disease which is common in children less than 15 years of age . Among 100,000 infected people it is responsible for death of almost 100-1000 people . Normally it occurs in the winter season . A person who suffers one gets life long immunity . And thus can not get the disease again . It is more dangerous in adults as compared to children .

CAUSES

It is cause by mumps virus

This virus spreads through

Coughing

Sneezing

Sputum

From one person to an other

SIGNS

Fever

Pain in the ear

Difficulty in chewing

Sore throat

Headache

Dry mouth

Aches and pains

Anorexia

PREVENTION

Clean your teeth regularly

Give children diet rich in carbohydrates

Keep the effected person away from the others

Vaccinate children against rubella

Maintain cleanliness

BOTTLE FEEDING MAY CAUSE ACUTE OTITIS MEDIA

Acute otitis media is the infection of the middle ear which occurs frequently in the winter . It is more common in people having flu , cough and respiratory problems . 50% of otitis media occurs in children of less than 2 years of age due to short Eustachian tube . The disease is more common in unhygienic and dirty environment .

CAUSES

Flu

Sore throat

Respiratory problems

Attack of virus

Because of short Eustachian tube in the children milk travels from the throat to the ears and causes infection .

SIGNS / SYMPTOMS

Pain in the ear due to infection and pus

Headache

Vertigo

Nausea , vomiting

Tinnitus

Difficulty in sleeping           

Irritability

Running nose

Cough

Temporary deafness

Crying and pulling ears in children

Rupture of the ear membrane

PREVENTION

Exclusive breast feeding till 6 months of age , as bottle feeding may cause this condition

Bottle feed the baby in the lap of the mother

Keep the head of the baby up while bottle feeding

Start weaning at 6 months of age to minimize bottle feed
Keep your environment clean