Abu Dhabi Health Services Company (SEHA) has called on all parents to stay apprised of any signs of diabetes among children, noting that it is one of those medical conditions that can lead to serious health issues if remain unchecked.

 In this regard, SEHA shared the story of a five-year-old UAE national who was recently diagnosed with diabetes by doctors at Al Bateen Healthcare Center. She was treated for the condition at the Sheikh Khalifa Medical City (SKMC).

“The boy visited the centre with his father who was worried that his son was not his usual self and was showing signs of exhaustion," said Dr. Baraa Arwani, Specialist Pediatrician at Al Bateen Healthcare Center managed by Ambulatory Healthcare Services.

After discussing the symptoms with the father, it was found out that the boy had been experiencing mild abdominal pain for two days. His father said that the boy was also drinking more water than usual. In addition, there were no symptoms of fever, vomiting, change in bowel habits or upper respiratory infection.

According to Dr. Baraa, the boy's vital signs were normal while there were signs of tiredness and dehydration. After checking the child's medical history and conducting a physical examination, the doctor suspected he was diabetic. After conducting blood glucose and urine tests, it was confirmed that the boy's blood glucose levels were very high and he was in diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA).

"It is a serious condition that can lead to a coma and sometimes life-threatening complications," the doctor added.

Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is one of the first warning signs of Type 1 diabetes. It occurs when the body's insulin is so low that the glucose cannot be used as a fuel. In such a case, it starts burning fat for fuel and result in producing ketones. Excessive accumulation of ketones can become toxic for the immune system, making the blood acidic. Experts have noted that early diagnosis is important in such cases since symptoms can deteriorate very quickly and result in diabetic coma.

Dr. Baraa Arwani added that the boy was immediately transferred to the Emergency Department at SKMC to control the DKA.

"His laboratory result showed that he was in severe DKA and was managed successfully as a case of new-onset Diabetes mellitus complicated with DKA," Dr Arwani stated.

The father thanked the Al Bateen physician and SKMC for ensuring a smooth, timely and proper diagnosis of his son before it could result in life-threatening complications.

“The patient was admitted to SKMC for two days, and we managed to stabilize his condition with insulin and close monitoring of his blood glucose. Upon discharge, we educated the parents about the correct insulin injection technique, glucose monitoring at home and the importance of eating a healthy balanced diet. This is, in addition, to follow-ups at our diabetes clinic," added Dr. Nadeem Abdullah, Consultant Pediatrician at Sheikh Khalifa Medical City.

Dr. Omar Al Jabri, AHS Chief Medical Officer, has affirmed that SEHA has been providing comprehensive diabetic services to patients. From early detection and diagnosis to follow-ups and treatment with the aim of controlling the disease, the healthcare entity has been ensuring various measures to protect the community members.

"We ensure patients undergo periodic preventive screening for potential complications of the disease in order to diagnose and treat them early. Equally important is referring diabetic patients to other specialities such as nephrology, cardiology, ophthalmology, neurology, nutrition, and podiatry both within our healthcare centres and SEHA’s hospitals," Dr Al Jabri added.

Some of the symptoms of diabetes in children that parents should be aware of include:

- Fatigue

- Increased urination and thirst

- Problems with vision

- Extreme hunger

- Unexplained weight loss

- Unusual behaviour – mainly restlessness or mood swings

SEHA has also called on residents to book an appointment at the authority's medical centres by calling 800 50, or sending a message via WhatsApp at +971 2 410 2200. They can also contact the department through the SEHA app if they notice any symptoms of diabetes in their child.