Adult diabetes in a 3-year-old child
This is an unfortunate world first that was discovered 6 months ago in the United States. Indeed, a little girl, only 3 years oldand from Texas, became the youngest person in the world to be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes. This type of diabetes is normally detected in adults from the age of 40.
But how is this possible? This discovery worries doctors, of course. The girl, then weighing 35 kg, suffered from obesity. It is the team of Dr. YAFI Mickaël who took care of the little Texan. Dr. YAFI was the first to be surprised by the diagnosis. In particular, it submitted its observations on this subject on 17 September 2015 to the European Association for the Study of Diabetes in Sweden(1).
The little girl has been better since then. During the last 6 months, major treatments and a very strict diet have overcome the disease. The overweight girl has managed to lose weight, currently weighing only 26 kg. The long work of the family bore fruit, and demonstrated that the disease was indeed linked to overweight, and that it was also possible to stop the disease in such a young subject, provided of course that the diagnosis is made as soon as possible.
This exceptional case must not remain silent. Dr. YAFI even points out that cases like this one could emerge over time in other children. Indeed, obesity among children is increasing sharply in recent years. It is for this reason that he shared his observations with the European Association for the Study of Diabetes in Sweden, because doctors arenot used to detecting such diabetes in very young subjects, which could lead to adiagnosis, alas, too late.
Dr. YAFI also insists on the important role of parents in the prevention of the disease. Indeed, it is up to them to instill in their children, from an early age, a healthy lifestyle and a good diet.
The case of this 3-year-old girl reminds us thatthe fight against diabetes and obesity is permanent, from early childhood, and that doctors must also pay attention to young patients. In the end, no one is spared.
Stephen Paul is the lead author and founder of My Health Sponsor. Holder of a diploma in health and well-being coaching with more than 200 articles in the field of health, he makes it a point of honor to offer advice based on reliable information, based on scientific research, and verified by health professionals.