Obese three-year-old diagnosed in U.S. with diabetes

Her medical history showed no sign she was at an increased risk for diabetes. She was born at term weighing 3.2kg(7lbs).

Additionally, both sleep disturbances and depression have been linked to increased risk of diabetes in previous research.

The toddler had no cushingoid features, no thyrogmegaly, and her Tanner Stage was I.

Upon further analysis of the girl’s habits, the doctor discovered that the family was maintaining a poor nutritional diet with emphasis on foods that are high in fat and calories. On laboratory tests, she had high fasting plasma glucose and HbA1c. She tested negative for antibodies that signal type 1 diabetes, so she was given a diagnosis of type 2.

To address her condition, medical experts had the girl take a liquid version of a diabetes drug called metformin on a daily basis. The CDC states many people with type 2 diabetes can control their blood glucose by following a healthy meal plan and a program of regular physical activity, losing excess weight, and taking medications. Also, doctors decreased the quantity of metformin drug by 50% each month, finally putting an end to the use of the drug.

Six months after diagnosis, the girl was at 75 per cent of the weight she had been when she first attended the clinic, and her blood sugar levels had fallen within the normal range. But type 2 diabetes, which is related to lifestyle factors like poor diet and lack of exercise, has seen increasing numbers in children.

“It’s an incredible result, very unexpected and wonderful news”, said Dr. Christopher P. Cannon, a cardiologist at Brigham & Women’s Hospital in Boston, who was not involved with the study.

The worldwide epidemic of obesity is now causing a spike in Type 2 diabetes, the occurrence is often referred to as “diabesity”.

Obese patients with type 2 diabetes, especially those with recent disease onset, should be prioritised for weight-loss surgery, as they may see a reversal in their condition, claim researchers.

Yafi said that in the environment where he works in southern Texas, type 2 diabetes is endemic, and the child responded to treatments aimed at correcting type 2 disease.

Yafi presented this case study at the meeting to highlight the critical importance of early identification of pediatric patients at risk.

Even if that were so, the causality could be operating in reverse, says Dr. Tomohide Yamada of the university’s department of diabetes and metabolic diseases.