Only 20 percent of children with diabetes have their blood glucose checked regularly above 3x.
REPUBLIKA.CO.ID, JAKARTA — Head of the Indonesian Pediatrician Association (IDAI) Endocrinology Coordinating Work Unit Dr. Muhammad Faizi SpA(K) advises children with diabetes, especially type 1, to ideally undergo blood sugar checks seven times or up to 10 times in a day.
“Ideally, before the main meal. So if three main meals mean six times, then before going to bed. So it’s mandatory seven times ideally,” he said in a virtual media briefing, Wednesday (1/2/2023).
Faizi then referred to data, that only about 20 percent of children with diabetes who checked their blood glucose routinely above three times. He noted, there were a number of obstacles including equipment that had to be purchased alone such as a glucometer, needles and blood sugar strips.
“There are those that are economical, use two to three times if it’s more than that it hurts. If once it doesn’t hurt, if it’s been two or three times (the test) it’s definitely more painful and that ends up being an obstacle for children to do frequent checkups apart from the cost factor. said Faizy.
Routine blood sugar checks are one of the five pillars in management type 1 diabetes in children. The other four pillars are giving insulin, regulating diet, physical activity and continuing education.
Children must be given insulin more than once, but at several other times, namely when they are going to eat and at bedtime so that in total they get at least four injections a day.
“If he eats back and forth, he has to be injected again,” said Faizi.
Meanwhile, dietary adjustments are usually related to dishes that children may and may not eat and reduce certain foods. On the other hand, there is also physical activity and continuing education for patients and families, in order to get good metabolic control, prevent acute and long-term complications, improve the psychological condition of both patients and families.
People with type 1 diabetes do not have pancreatic beta cells which play an important role in controlling blood sugar. Normally, after a person eats and their blood sugar rises, the pancreatic beta cells process it so that they secrete insulin according to the number of calories available so that blood sugar is stable.
“Those with type 1 diabetes do not have pancreatic beta cells. These cells are damaged even though they are important for controlling blood sugar. Normal blood sugar is controlled between 70 to 126 mg/dL,” said Faizi.
As previously reported, diabetes does not only haunt adults but also stalks children. According to WHO data in 2022, the frequency of diabetes is increasing worldwide.
Research shows, children are at higher risk of developing this disease. Chairman of the IDAI Central Board, Dr. Piprim Basarah Yanuarso SpA (K), said that over time, diabetes can damage the heart, eye blood vessels, kidneys and nerves; and lead to chronic problems and premature death.
