The child's diabetological education is essential for the continuity and success of the treatment of type 1 diabetes, which every day affects younger.
This was revealed by Carmen Mazza, Chief of Children's Nutrition Service of the Garrahan Hospital, commemorating the World Diabetes Day today.
Mazza explained that the incidence of type 1 diabetes "has an annual rate of 3 percent in children and adolescents and 5 percent in children under 5 years," and stressed that "even type 2 diabetes is also increasing in a wayAlarming between children and adolescents. "
"The increase in incidence cannot be explained by purely genetic factors. There are some probable causes: characteristics of the diet, enterovirus, exposure to chemicals, factors related to increasing incidence of obesity, among others,"The doctor said.
In addition, the specialist commented that as a complement to efforts to try to control a disease that seriously threatens to become a pandemic in the coming years, "it is essentialHe as his family and environment, especially in pediatric patients. "
In that sense, Mazza remarked that "the key is that the patient becomes the protagonist of his treatment because the adhesion rate (continuity) is significantly improved and therefore, better results are obtained."
"It is not the isolated medical team who can treat it but their own understanding and dedication to respect the guidelines and recommendations that the health team gives it. For example, when a child and their family understand why it is key thatThe glucose level between 5 and 6 times per day is measured;
For the doctor, the additional challenge "is to communicate with children and adolescents stimulated by multiple variables and demand new strategies to be interested in the contents."
In this regard, he stressed that "new technologies such as multimedia applications for platforms such as iPhone, iPad or iPod with trivias and interactive games are novel tools for therapeutic education of children and adolescents."
"A study revealed that the complications of diabetes (blindness, renal failure, heart disease, dermopathy, among others) represent 5 to 10 percent of the cost of health spending in countries of the European Community. Being a chronic disease,Without a cure today, intensive and mouthciplinary treatments are required that will accompany the patient for life, "he said.
Among the recommendations for the care and treatment of boys with diabetes are:
* The care in the hands of a health team trained in children's diabetes (pediatric diabetologist; specialized nursing; educator; and a degree in nutrition, psychologist and social worker).
* The disposition of sufficient material and technical equipment.
* And the realization of structured diabetological education programs.
"There are three key axes in achieving the best metabolic control, for the best future health with the best quality of life. We know that good control prevents chronic complications, and that to have good control treatments should be implemented with multiple doses of insulin and automationfrequent.
Adhesion to these treatments without affecting the child's quality of life requires a strong educational component, and containment network, "said Mazza.
"Therefore, the general objectives of an education program must also tend to favor the transition from paternal care to self -care, and prepare the patient toA possible treatment intensification, "said the specialist.
In that context, the first free educational guide for children with diabetes was presented.It is an innovative interactive guide that seeks to facilitate the incorporation of knowledge so that the child and their family can learn about the disease, seeking to improve intensive treatment by preventing complications.
The "Diabetes Guide. How to handle type 1 diabetes", whose author is Dr. Mazza, is intended for children with that disease and their families.It is an interactive guide developed for iPad, iPhone and iPod that includes data on diabetes, games and interactive activities.
Sponsored by Sanofi in the framework of its regional strategy "healthy children, happy children", the interactive guide, which can be downloaded for free from www.panareadigital.com/diabetes, proposes animated graphics and easy -to -understand steps so that children have fun whileThey learn how to control and manage diabetes.
The interactive guide, developed by Panarea Digital, consists of a simple sequence of screens that introduce the thematic content organized by sections such as: "real symptoms", "The route of food", how to take control "," truths and myths", among others.
There are three characters: Leo, an 8 -year -old boy with type 1 diabetes who learns to take care of himself and with the help of parrot, his curious friend and Dr. Vidabuena guides other children through his own personal experiences and adventures.