Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease that prevents the pancreas from producing insulin, the hormone responsible for controlling blood glucose. Although there is still no cure or known preventive measures, proper treatment can ensure quality of life and prevent serious complications such as kidney, heart, and eye diseases.
However, the number of children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes has been growing alarmingly in Brazil and worldwide. According to the Diabetes Atlas of the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), approximately 92,300 young Brazilians live with the disease. This growth, observed in recent decades, reinforces the need for increased attention to symptoms, early diagnosis, and continuous monitoring.
In this article, you will understand why cases of type 1 diabetes in children have been increasing, what the main symptoms and risk factors are, and how it is possible to prevent and control the disease.
What is type 1 diabetes?
Type 1 diabetes is one of several manifestations of diabetes mellitus, characterized by the destruction of pancreatic beta cells, which are responsible for the production and secretion of insulin. Without insulin, glucose accumulates in the blood, causing hyperglycemia and, in the long term, a series of metabolic complications.
Unlike type 2 diabetes, type 1 diabetes is caused by genetic and immunological factors and cannot be prevented as it is related to a chronic and hereditary condition. According to the Ministry of Health, this variation of diabetes has its peak incidence in children between 10 and 14 years of age, being less common in adults, although it can also manifest in adulthood.
What led to the increase in cases of type 1 diabetes in children?
According to information released by the Brazilian Diabetes Society (SBD), the incidence of type 1 diabetes has increased by 3% to 4% in the last three decades. However, although several factors have been associated with type 1 diabetes, none can be directly blamed for the increase in the number of cases in recent years. According to the vice-president of the SBD, the data only suggest the influence of environmental factors.
The big question behind these numbers, which project around 17.4 million cases among children and adolescents worldwide by 2040, is that, because it is an autoimmune condition with complex and multifactorial triggers, type 1 diabetes has no known prevention. In other words, it is not currently possible to stop this increase in global rates of the disease.
However, recognizing clinical signs early and initiating appropriate treatment is essential to control glycemic levels and avoid complications, thus reducing the impact of the disease on patients' daily lives.
Diagnosis and treatment
Early diagnosis of type 1 diabetes is crucial to avoid serious complications and reduce the risk of diabetic ketoacidosis, a condition in which, due to a lack of glucose, cells begin to break down and produce compounds called ketones to generate energy. Although this defense mechanism provides the energy the body needs, it also makes the blood more acidic. This condition can manifest even before a diabetes diagnosis and, if left untreated, can lead to coma and, in extreme cases, death.
For this reason, early diagnosis of type 1 diabetes is essential. Among the main signs of type 1 diabetes are:
- Excessive thirst;
- Increased hunger;
- Unexplained weight loss;
- Frequent urge to urinate;
- Constant fatigue.
Treatment for type 1 diabetes is based on insulin replacement, since the pancreas stops producing the hormone. Therefore, the patient injects insulin directly into the layer of fat cells just below the skin, preferably in the abdomen, thigh, arm, waist area, or buttocks. Treatment should be tailored to each individual, considering the age, routine, and metabolic response of each patient.
Furthermore, constant glucose monitoring is an essential part of care. For this, the patient should use a glucometer, a device capable of accurately measuring blood glucose concentration throughout the day.
Proper management of type 1 diabetes requires commitment and ongoing medical monitoring to ensure quality of life and well-being. When diagnosed early and the patient correctly follows the treatment, they can avoid complications and maintain blood glucose levels within ideal ranges.
More than just a care routine, treatment represents autonomy and prevention, reinforcing the importance of information and specialized monitoring so that children, adolescents, and adults with type 1 diabetes can live without major impacts from the disease on their daily lives.
The information used to construct this article was obtained from the International Diabetes Federation (IDF), updated to the date of publication, and is subject to change.
