A pan-India study by a diagnostic laboratory has revealed that while 66 per cent children in the age group of 0 to 15 years have abnormal levels of sugar in their blood, children in the western region are most affected by this. Experts warn that this could lead to complications including heart and kidney problems when kids grow up.
A spokesperson from SRL Diagnostics which conducted the study over a period of three years involving around 17,000 children across India, blood glucose levels (Hba1C) of these kids showed that nearly 66.11 per cent Indian children have abnormal levels of sugar in their body. Further, a total of 51.76 per cent samples having abnormal HbalC levels were in male children.
The analysis revealed that prevalence of abnormal blood sugar levels was highest among children in the western zone of the country (68.48 per cent) followed by northern zone (64.71 per cent) and eastern zone (61.48 per cent) with the southern zone being the lowest (54.95 per cent).
“Diabetes has emerged a major burden for India over the last two decades. This disease further leads to other disorders in children like obesity, obstructive sleep apnea, nausea, drowsiness, weight loss, frequent urination in large amounts etc. As these children reach adulthood, problems related to kidneys and strokes start appearing. These days, children are susceptible even to Type 2 diabetes which has been so far common in adults,” said Dr Leena Chatterjee, Director - Fortis SRL Labs & SRL Strategic Initiatives.
Dr Chatterjee added that it was important for children diagnosed with pre-diabetes to reduce sugar intake. “It is difficult to cut out sugar completely but one can start by skipping it in milk, choosing non-sugary breakfasts, avoiding beverages,” she said.
