Diabetes: As 8.75 lakh kids suffer from type 1 diabetes, UP govt's decision to allow them to carry insulin to classrooms is a breather

Setting a perfect example for other state governments, the Uttar Pradesh state government has decided to allow students suffering from type 1 diabetes to carry insulin to classrooms. This is a new milestone in inclusivity in classrooms and broadens awareness around type 1 diabetes which affects more than 8.5 lakh kids in the country.

Prior to this, there were no formal rules for these students. "Though informally schools never denied children with type 1 diabetes to carry the requisite things. However, there were no formal guidelines for this till now. With the government adopting the NCPCR recommendations, it will be binding for the schools to allow children with type 1 diabetes to bring insulin and glucometer inside the classrooms and exam halls," Director General School Education (DGSE), Vijay Kiran Anand told TOI.

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As per the new guidelines, children with type 1 diabetes can check their blood sugar, inject insulin, take mid-morning or mid-afternoon snack, and do diabetes related activities if they have been prescribed by the doctor inside the classrooms. The guideline orders teachers to cooperate with the kids and allow them to do the medical activities. In exam halls, they are allowed to carry sugar tablets, medicines, fruits, snacks, dry fruits, etc. along with glucometer and glucose strips. Kids who are required to have continuous glucose monitoring or flash glucose monitoring and insulin pumps will be allowed these devices. If required in devices, smartphones will also be allowed to exam halls.

“Type 1A diabetes mellitus is a result of autoimmune-mediated destruction of beta cells of the pancreas. In genetically susceptible individuals, autoantibodies against glutamic acid decarboxylase insulin, insulinoma-associated protein 2 (IA-2), and zinc transporter ZnT8 etc. Infective agents such as the coxsackie virus can trigger antibodies that tend to identify pancreatic beta cells as foreign due to molecular mimicry phenomenon,” explains Dr Dr. Dilip Gude, Senior Consultant Physician, Yashoda hospitals, Hyderabad.

Environmental factors such as pregnancy-related and perinatal influences, viruses, ingestion of cow's milk and cereals etc. are some of the factors that may increase one's risk.of type 1 diabetes, says Dr Gude.

"It is a lifetime disease and the patient requires insulin only as a treatment option for ever. Long acting insulin once daily and thrice daily prandial short acting insulin forms the cornerstone of type 1 diabetes treatment. Some may benefit from addition of metformin especially if obese. Insulin pumps with sensors are available that release insulin depending on sugar level thus reducing hypo or hyperglycemia," he explains about the treatment process.

The key to lead a normal life with type 1 diabetes is by maintaining a balance between food, exercise and insulin. Parents should check for symptoms like feeling thirsty more than usual, urinating a lot, bed-wetting, feeling hungrgy, losing weight, feeling irritable, feeling tired, and having blurry vision. Parents should take medical assistance as early as possible as delay in the treatment can make it easier for other complications to start. The common complications associated with type 1 diabetes are heart disease, stroke, blood circulation problem in foot, vision issue, loss of feeling and nerve damage, gum disease and kidney problem.