The number of pediatric doctors who specialize in the treatment of childhood diabetes is steadily declining at a time when more and more children are being diagnosed with diabetes. The childhood obesity epidemic has been a major contributor to the incidence of diabetes in children and proper treatment can be difficult to find. According to the March issue of The Journal of Pediatrics, there is only one pediatric endocrinologist for every 290 diabetic children in this country.

Dr. Joyce Lee, study author and a member of the Child Health Evaluation and Research Unit of the American Diabetes Association is very concerned. “Although the American Diabetes Association recommends that all children with diabetes be cared for by a pediatric endocrinologist as part of the diabetes team, there is a current shortage of pediatric endocrinologists in this country,” said Dr. Lee.

Approximately 16.5 percent of American children ages six to 19 are obese. These children are at an increased risk for developing diseases previously thought to be limited to adults, including type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure and high cholesterol. The fact is that pediatric endocrinologists do not have the capabilities to see even a fraction of the larger number of children whit diabetes or at risk for diabetes. “We need to assess the system to ensure children with diabetes or at risk for diabetes receive appropriate care,” said Dr. Lee.

Diabetes is a chronic disease in which the body does not make or properly use insulin, a hormone that is needed to convert glucose and other food into energy. People with diabetes have increased blood glucose levels due to an absence of insulin, or failure to respond to insulin’s effects (insulin resistance). Inadequate insulin results in high concentrations of glucose that build up in the blood and spill into the urine, causing an obligate urinary excretion of glucose. As a result, the body loses its main source of fuel.

Source: University of Michigan Health System