Addressing Childhood Diabetes in the Dental Setting
Diabetes mellitus (DM) is one of the most common chronic health conditions worldwide, and its occurrence among children continues to rise.1–5 Type 1 (T1D) and type 2 (T2D) of this metabolic condition cause elevated blood glucose (BG) levels due to disordered insulin release, insulin resistance, or both.6 The most common type in childhood, T1D develops from autoimmune-initiated destruction of pancreatic beta cells, resulting in reduced insulin production and release and glucose control. Today, approximately 50 genetic markers for T1D susceptibility have been identified.3,7–9 While susceptibility is genetic, environmental risk factors also contribute to increased DM prevalence.3,5,8,9
Among young children, T1D affects both genders equally, but after the age of 15, it is more frequently seen in boys and men.3,9 T1D’s peak age of onset, currently at ages 10 to 14, continues to decline.3,4 While the prevalence of childhood T2D remains low, its risk increases with age; higher rates of T2D among children have coincided with a growth in childhood obesity. This is likely due to the insulin demands and inflammation associated with obesity that affects pancreatic beta cells.5,9,10
A large portion of youth with diabetes lack optimal glycemic control, which may cause oral, cardiovascular, and neurological complications. Although pediatric T2D is less common, it can follow an aggressive path with increased complications when compared to T1D. As these youth become self-reliant, the involvement of the healthcare team is imperative to bridge the gap of care that can occur with early adulthood.1,2,4,10–12
* References and figures can be found in the original article via the link above.
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