Beware! virus infection increases the risk of diabetes in kids

By: Bhavyajyoti Chilukoti | | Published: October 19, 2014 3:49 pm

Type 1 diabetes: Researchers have found that stem cells can be converted into insulin producing cells and hence can be used to treat type 1 diabetes. The cells which are cultivated in the lab will have to be implanted into human subjects for them to be mature and fully functional.

According to a recent study, kids infected with enterovirus are at a 50% higher risk of developing type 1 diabetes. This type of diabetes is usually caused due to complex interaction with the immune system, environmental factors and genetic susceptibility. Tsai Chung-Li from the China Medical University in Taiwan said, ‘Although the role of genetic predisposition in this regard has been elucidated, this study sheds light on the involvement of enterovirus (EV) infection and other viruses such as Coxsackievirus type and B, polio virus and echovirus.’ (Read: Managing diabetes in children 10 common queries answered) Also Read - Genes linked to common brain disorder, Chiari 1 malformation, identified

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The researchers used Taiwan’s National Health Insurance System’s population-based survey data from the entire nation to investigate the relation between enterovirus infection and susceptibility to develop type 1 diabetes. They screened the survey reports for incidence of type 1 diabetes in children below 18 years of age who suffered from EV infection from the year 2000 – 2008. The overall incidence of type 1 diabetes was reported to be high in children infected with enterovirus as compared to kids who were not infected with the virus. The incidence was around 48% in EV infected group of kids versus the non-EV infected group. (Read: Can stem cell transplant treat Type-1 diabetes) Also Read - Kids who take steroids at increased risk for diabetes: Know the other side effects of this medication

The risk of type 1 diabetes in kids diagnosed with EV infection showed an increased risk of 2.18 times with age . This was more than double the risk of Type 1 diabetes children who were above 10 years. The study findings and results appeared in the journal Diabetologia. (Read: Beat diabetes with these 7 foods)

Type 1 diabetes causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and prevention

Diabetes accounts for a huge share of lifestyle diseases all over the world and India is no exception. But the surprising part is that a lot has been spoken about type 2 diabetes, while type 1 diabetes has remained relatively overlooked.

According to Dr Pradeep Gadge, consultant diabetologist, Seven Hills Hospital, Mumbai, nearly 5 lakh children under the age of 15 years are affected by type 1 diabetes, making it one of the most common diseases among children and young adults.

What is type 1 diabetes? How is it different from type 2 diabetes?

Type 1 diabetes is a condition that is mainly seen in children (also called juvenile diabetes). It occurs due to self-destruction of insulin-producing cells of the pancreas called beta cells. This means, the body s immune system generates antibodies against the beta cells and destroys them. Insulin is a hormone that is needed for the conversion of starch and other foods into energy. As the body is unable to produce insulin, it struggles with increased glucose levels in the blood and urine. In type 2 diabetes, although insulin is produced by the body it cannot be utilised in a normal way. In simpler terms, you could say that getting type 1 diabetes is bad luck, whereas type 2 diabetes is just a result of faulty lifestyle, says Dr Gadge.

Causes and Risk factors

The exact cause of type 1 diabetes is still unknown. There is no defined set of population to be considered at risk. However, research indicates that people who have a pool of autoantibodies in their body are at a higher risk of developing it, says Dr Gadge.

According to Dr Ratan Kumar Vaish, Senior Consultant, Department of medicine, Rockland Group of Hospitals, Delhi-NCR the risk of developing type 1 diabetes is higher in:

Children who have both the parents suffering from diabetes
Children who have mothers with a history of gestational diabetes (diabetes during pregnancy)
Children who have suffered an infection of the pancreas
Children who have suffered trauma or injury of the pancreas

With inputs from IANS

Image Source: Getty Images

Published : October 19, 2014 3:49 pm

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