diabetes and endocrinology Flashcards
what causes type 1 diabetes?
pancreatic B-cells being destroyed by autoimmune processes
what are the risk factors for type 2 diabetes in children?
- older children
- obese
- family history
- being Black or Asian
which drugs could lead to developing diabetes?
corticosteroids
which conditions could lead to developing diabetes? give 5
- CF
- thalassaemia (if there’s iron overload)
- Cushing syndrome (due to steroid production)
- Down syndrome
- Turner syndrome
which conditions is diabetes associated with in children? give 4
- hypothyroidism
- Addison disease
- coeliac disease
- FH of rheumatoid arthritis
presentation of type 1 diabetes?
- few weeks of symptoms
- polyuria
- polydipsia
- weight loss
- younger children might get secondary nocturnal enuresis
what skin change might develop in insulin resistance?where?
acanthosis nigricans (velvety dark patches with white lines), in axilla or on neck
how is type 1 diabetes diagnosed in children?
- random blood glucose > 11.1 mmol/L
- OR raised HbA1c >48 mmol/mol
- OGTT not usually used
how is type 2 diabetes diagnosed in children?
same as type 1 but look for risk factors:
- family history
- obese
- acanthosis nigricans
- skin tags
- PCOS phenotype in girls
dietary advice for a child with type 1 diabetes?
- same as non-diabetic
- 5 a day
- “carb counting” - lets parent estimate how much insulin is needed after each meal
why is it important to rotate insulin injection sites?
risk of lipohypertrophy or lipoatrophy (rarer)
what are the 2 insulin regimens used for most diabetic children?
- continuous subcutaneous insulin pump
- OR short-acting insulin injections pre-prandial and long-acting injection before bed
why is a high fibre diet preferred to refined carbs in diabetic children?
- fibre gives slow-release, sustained energy
- refined carbs cause rapid swings of glucose levels
which factors increase blood glucose?
- insufficient insulin
- any type of food but esp carbs
- illness
- menstruation
- growth hormone
- corticosteroids (hence Cushing gives DM)
- sex hormones at puberty
- stress
which factors decrease blood glucose?
- insulin
- exercise
- alcohol
- some drugs
- marked anxiety or excitement
- hot weather
what are the 2 acute complications of diabetes?
- hypoglycaemia
- DKA
symptoms of hypoglycaemic attack?
- hunger
- pallor
- tummy ache
- sweatiness
- faint/dizziness
- “wobbly” feeling in legs
how does hypoglycaemia progress untreated
coma then death
what is the treatment of:
a) mild hypoglycaemia?
b) severe hypoglycaemia?
a) easily absorbed glucose from a snack
b) glucagon injection