Early Diagnosis Of Diabetes In Children And Adolescents Is Vital; Support World Diabetes Day

Main Category: Diabetes
Also Included In: Pediatrics / Children's Health
Article Date: 14 Nov 2008 - 3:00 PST

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Diabetic Hypoglycaemia , the influential online diabetes journal published by ESP Bioscience, supports the message of World Diabetes Day in raising the global awareness of diabetes.

The theme of World Diabetes Day in 2008 is 'Diabetes in children and adolescents'. As diabetes is one of the most common chronic diseases of childhood, and the incidence of type 2 diabetes is rapidly increasing in children and adolescents, diabetes awareness in this age group and its carers is extremely important.

Undiagnosed or inadequately controlled diabetes can lead to hyperglycaemia, diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) and coma, and may also have harmful cognitive and behavioural effects.

"Controlling diabetes in children and adolescents is of particular importance due to the disruptive effects of inadequate glucose control on the developing brain. Individuals with either type 1 or type 2 diabetes mellitus manifest an array of modest functional and structural changes within the CNS, which occur relatively early in the course of the disease, and do not appear to be progressive over time." Dr Christopher Ryan (Pittsburgh, US).

Early diagnosis of diabetes is therefore vital in children and adolescents to establish adequate control of the disease at an early stage. Anyone involved in the care of children should be able to recognize the diabetes warning signs of: excessive thirst, frequent urination, weight loss and tiredness. Children may also show the specific symptoms of: lack of interest and concentration, headaches and recurrent vomiting and stomach pain.

To read the full article and related topical reviews in diabetes and hypoglycaemia please visit the Diabetic Hypoglycaemia online news page at http://www.hypodiab.com/.

Diabetic Hypoglycaemia is created with and run by an editorial board of hypoglycaemia experts led by Professor Brian Frier (Edinburgh, UK) with Associate Editors: Simon Heller (Sheffield, UK), Christopher Ryan (Pittsburgh, US) and Rory McCrimmon (Yale, US). The journal is published three times per year, providing an interactive forum for readers to share practical knowledge and opinions on the rapidly evolving topic that is hypoglycaemia.

Initial support of the journal is provided by an unrestricted educational grant from Novo Nordisk A/S (Bagsvaerd, Denmark).

About ESP Bioscience

ESP Bioscience (a division of ESP Limited) is a publisher of novel and new medical information products and online medical communities, with headquarters in Sandhurst, United Kingdom. Working in association with its academic partners in the global healthcare community, ESP Bioscience publishes journals, books and online resources.

ESP Bioscience