Diabetes becoming common in children

     By Judy DeLoretta
     View staff writer
      Quintin Jones, a 15-year-old Bishop Gorman student, never thought Twinkies would be off the snack list.
      Nor did his mom, Billie Jones.
      Jones is one of 300 Las Vegas children who are being treated for Type I and Type II diabetes.
      For years, Type I, known as juvenile diabetes, was the only type that showed up in those younger than 40. Type I diabetes patients are insulin-dependant.
      But Type II diabetes -- traditionally found in adults because of heredity, obesity and because the body doesn't produce enough insulin or the body is resistant to using insulin -- is showing up more often in children, said Carol Rose, University Medical Center's ambulatory care nurse and diabetes specialist.
      Type I diabetes is caused by the autoimmune process fighting against beta cells in the pancreas, said Cathy Flynn, pediatric nurse practitioner at the center.
      "The beta cells are what produce insulin and those are what are being destroyed in Type I patients," said Flynn, who along with Rose works under pediatric endocrinologist, Dr. Henry Artman. "These patients have to have insulin replacement for life."
      The kids more recently diagnosed with Type II diabetes usually have a family history of the disease and usually are classified as obese.
      "It's the same criteria for adults. Also, our patients are more commonly African-American, Hispanic and Native Americans," Rose said.
      Although only 10 Las Vegas children with Type II diabetes are taking part in the center's diabetes education program -- in contrast with the 300 Las Vegas children with Type I diabetes -- it was unheard of to even see one such patient three years ago.
      "Three years ago, there were no Type II diabetes cases diagnosed in children," Rose said. "That's the whole issue with diabetes in general. We work here with Type I's and some Type II's. But we're noticing more and more people wanting to get scheduled for diabetes education classes. We're not saying Type II is on the increase, but it is being detected more often."
      The diagnosis of diabetes was a blessing of sorts for Quintin Jones.
      According to the Juvenile Diabetes Foundation, about 16 million Americans suffer from diabetes. Heart disease, stroke, kidney disease, blindness, loss of limbs and nerve damage are among the complications associated with the disease.
      Warning signs include unusual thirst, frequent urination, abnormal hunger, sudden weight loss, blurred vision and unexpected weakness or fatigue.
      There is no cure for Type I or Type II diabetes, but diagnosis, careful monitoring of blood sugar levels, and a doctor-ordered combination of diet, exercise, insulin for Type I cases and medication.
      "Before we found out Quintin had diabetes, he thought he was a hypochondriac," Billie Jones said. "He was always sick with something."
      For months, Jones complained off and on of chest pains, blurred vision, numbness and tingling in his fingers and flu symptoms. Then he lost 18 pounds in a week.
      Appointment after appointment with eye doctors, chiropractors and physical therapists didn't help. His X-rays were normal, new glasses didn't make much difference and even blood tests never indicated Jones had diabetes.
      "This is common for children, especially," Cathy Flynn said. "Diabetes often goes undiagnosed for years in children and adults, but most children aren't diagnosed until they're in the emergency room with severe symptoms."
      That is exactly what happened to Quintin Jones last April, when he missed a few days of school because he wasn't feeling well. At first, his mother thought he had the flu.
      "I told him to really rest and drink a lot of water those few days," Billie Jones said. "By the end of that week, I asked him if he had lost weight. He looked so thin. We weighed him and he had lost 18 pounds in just a few days."
      Billie Jones took her son to the doctor, explained the symptoms and administered a blood test. The doctor also mentioned diabetes as a possibility and told the family Quintin would also have to return for a more complete blood test after fasting.
      "By the time we got home from having that first blood test, the doctor was calling us on the phone," Jones said. "He told us to get to the hospital that night."
      Quintin's blood-sugar level was 1,000. Normal blood sugar levels for children like Quintin are between 70 and 110.
      And by the time Quintin was admitted, his sugar level had reached 1,363.
      "I was actually almost relieved on the way to hospital," Quintin Jones said. "I felt like I was getting stupid. I had always been a straight-A student and when I started feeling bad, my grades dropped, too. I was so happy there actually was a reason. I felt like a different person -- like myself again -- after about five or six days in the hospital."Diabetes walk slated for Sept. 18
      In an effort to raise awareness and to find a cure for diabetes, the Walk to Cure Diabetes is scheduled for Sept. 18 at UNLV.
      Check-in time begins at 7 a.m. and start time is 8 a.m., with starting and finishing points in the Judy Bailey Theatre parking lot.
      Cooperating organizations include Juvenile Diabetes Foundation International and The Diabetes Research Foundation, with such local sponsors as Wells Fargo Bank, KSNE-FM (106.5), KitchenAid, Sprint, the Thomas & Mack Center, the Rio, and Nevada Power Co. National sponsors include PaineWebber, Marshalls, Walgreens, Toys R Us and Advance Auto Parts.
      All walkers who raise $75 or more will receive a T-shirt on the day of the event. Walkers raising $150 or more also are eligible to receive gift certificates for Sharper Image or Juvenile Diabetes Foundation clothing.
      Those interested can call 732-4795.