About 1,000 children with diabetes are being managed at the Paediatric Endocrine and Diabetes Unit of Hamad General Hospital (HGH), an official of HMC has said.
“Of these, approximately 150 receive insulin regularly,” said Dr Fawziya al-Khalaf, head of the Paediatric Endocrine and Diabetes Unit.
HMC recently hosted a conference to highlight and discuss the prevalence of childhood diabetes in Qatar, as well as the latest diagnostic and management techniques for the
condition.
The conference, which featured scientific presentations and panel sessions, was attended by more than 300 healthcare professionals, including senior physicians, endocrinologists, nurses and other allied health professionals.
Dr Ahmed El Awwa, consultant at HGH, said that diabetes is the most common endocrine and metabolic disorder among children globally.
“The most prevalent type of diabetes in children is type 1, found in 90% of children affected with diabetes. These children require insulin treatment,” Dr El Awwa said.
He explained that the causes of type 1 diabetes are still unknown, but many theories assert that it occurs due to autoimmune destruction that triggers a loss of pancreatic beta cells responsible for insulin production. The occurrence of type 1 diabetes has no link with consanguinity, positive family history, food habits, or medication, he pointed out.
Dr El Awwa said that the number of children and young adults affected by type 2 diabetes is beginning to rise, particularly with the increase of obesity and improper diets. However, it can be prevented through diet control and weight reduction strategies.
Children with diabetes are referred from Primary Healthcare Centres and paediatric emergency centres to HGH.
“At the unit, we offer highly specialised treatment and management to each and every child with diabetes. The availability of a multidisciplinary team comprising a paediatric diabetologist, diabetes educator, dietician, psychologist, and social worker who work collaboratively with the child’s family, ensures that the child receives the best possible diabetic
care,” Dr al-Khalaf added.
