Juvenile diabetes has parents and school authorities worried

Hypoglycemia in young children and its consistent attack makes it difficult for the parents and the school authorities to deal with the uneasy situations the children go through.

Rahul* was diagnosed in early childhood with Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (IDDM) which usually manifests from four years onwards and requires children to have daily injections of insulin to survive. Sanguinely accepting that he has to observe certain precautions alien to other children, the 11-year-old boy did not let his condition interfere with his normal life. That was until he went into hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) at school. A second episode prompted the school authorities to request the parents to transfer the boy as they could not `handle` his problem.

In hypoglycemia the blood sugar becomes low, slowing down the activities of the patient and resulting in drowsiness, irritability, nausea, giddiness and finally convulsions and death. Giving the patient glucose, biscuits or sweet mixture any can immediately check it.

Fifteen-year-old twin brothers Luv* and Kush* are aware of this and furtively chew at their specially prepared food in class if they sense an impending attack, praying that their movements go unnoticed. ``The teachers are not aware of our condition and tell us to wait until break to eat our food,`` said Luv, the talkative twin. Sometimes, the other children make fun of them saying `look, the poor boys are hungry`. So out of shame, they eat quietly without letting either the teacher or other students know.
Apathy of school authorities

The attitude of schools must be changed, says Dr A.K. Jhingan of the Delhi Diabetic Research Centre (DDRC). Teachers don`t have to do anything extra for these children except to be a little alert. ``If the child goes into hypoglycemia, just give him two or three biscuits or something sweet to drink,`` he said.

Unfortunately, other children take their cue from the teachers. They get scared and exclude the diabetic child from their play, observed Dr Jhingan. Parents pose another major hurdle because they advise their wards not to associate with these children. ``This is not a contagious or fatal disease; all it requires is some attention and care. School authorities should be cooperative and sympathetic because these children are equally brilliant and can excel if they are encouraged,`` he admonished. The Guptas are still recovering from the shock of discovering that their 11-year-old son has type I diabetes. ``We have tried without luck to meet the principal of his school to explain the situation. I wanted to request the Principal to make an announcement in the assembly so that the teachers are alert and do not stop diabetic children from eating in class if they start experiencing symptoms of hypoglycemia,`` said Gupta.

His disillusioned wife has come to the conclusion that people are not sympathetic and don`t have time to listen to others` problems. More than the neighbours and friends, it is the relatives who are worse with their crocodile tears and hypocritical remarks. ``In front of the child they will say `poor boy, what will happen to him, what is his future`. On such days my son cannot study, he reproaches me for telling people about his condition and we just sit and cry,`` she tremulously confesses.
A helping hand from the public authorities

According to Dr Jhingan, the incidence of juvenile diabetes is on the rise and 0.2 per cent of the total child population in the country suffers from the disease due to a variety of reasons including family history and life style changes. Delhi alone accounts for between 4,000 and 5,000 juvenile diabetic cases while an equal number of cases go undetected or undiagnosed in the city, he observed.

In diabetes, the pancreas fails to produce the insulin required to absorb glucose from the intestines to the rest of the body. The common symptoms of diabetes include extreme weakness or lethargy, excessive hunger and thirst, excessive urination, loss of weight and irritability.

With proper care and control, diabetics can lead normal lives, says Dr Jhingan, adding that all patients should learn to monitor themselves by doing urine test and blood glucose estimation besides administering their own injections. The DDRC is organising a three-day Diabetes Mela (fair) in the capital from October 20 and this year`s theme focuses on juvenile diabetes.
Bureau Report