Children suffering from type-I diabetes mellitus are prone to psychological problems like depression and conduct disorders, says a study by the Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education and Research (PGIMER). Of the children included in the study, around 20 per cent were found with psychosocial disorder.
The study titled ‘Psychological problems in Indian children with Type-I diabetes mellitus’, carried out in the year 2102-2103, is the first study done in India to verify the extent of psychological disorders in children suffering from type-I diabetes. It has been awarded the second best study at the Indian Society for Pediatric and Adolescent Endocrinology meet, held in Bangalore in 2013.
Dr Rakesh Kumar, Associate Prof Department of Pediatrics PGI said, “We have 600 registered patients, suffering from this chronic disease, and around 2-3 new patients visits us every week. Managing diabetes is an uphill task, even the adults falter at times, which is both physically and mentally strenuous, which leaves long term impact over a child’s psyche.”
Type-I diabetes is an auto-immune disorder which mars the functioning of the pancreas in children, as a result of which body fails to produce insulin –the hormone needed to monitor the blood glucose level. In 20 per cent children, the disease is genetic but in the other 80 percent, it is an idiopathic disorder.
“The average age at which a child is affected by diabetes is 7-8 years, which makes the management of the disease very difficult. Once a diabetic is always a diabetic and hence it is a daily fight for survival. To maintain the blood glucose level, in absence of pancreatic functions, one has to rely on insulin from external means and the most common way is to inject it,” said Dr Rakesh.
life is not easy for a child suffering with diabetes. Blood glucose level fluctuates all the time, especially with food intake and hence the normal tantrums, shown by children in having their food can prove fatal for a diabetic child. During the day, a child has to undergo blood tests frequently, which increases the number of pricks, adding up to pricks due to insulin injections.
Kanwaljeet Kaur, mother of a diabetic child said, “At times I think there is no childhood for my 5-year-old son, since he was diagnosed with diabetes. Monitoring blood glucose level is not easy for children. One has to take insulin shots before meals to keep it in control. However, if you inject insulin and the kid refuses to eat, his sugar level may come down, which is fatal. Each day of his life is a struggle.”
“In his daily chores he has insulin injections, blood-testing and keeping himself safe from wounds. This might well suggest what childhood is for him and how difficult it is for him to live it daily. It puts him under tremendous psychological pressure. There are times he asks me as to when he will get cured, and I keep lying him about it,” she added. However, during the course of the study it was found that parents who are educated and more involved with their ward, catering to the increased emotional dependence in a diabetic child with patience, helps the child to monitor the disease in a healthy way. These children are likely to visit the hospital less and also have better psychological health.
On the other hand poor glycaemic control and increased number of hospitalisations are significantly associated with increased psychosocial problems in diabetic children, says the study. Dr Rakesh Kumar said, “The finding of the study are concerning and may require future interventions aimed at improving diabetes care.”