Kids' Diabetes Drug Use Doubles

Tween, Teen Girls Drive 4-Year Jump in Pediatric Diabetes Drugs

Nov. 7, 2007 -- Driven by huge increases among tween and teen girls, pediatric prescriptions for type 2 diabetes drugs doubled from 2002 through 2005.

Kids are taking more of every kind of obesity-related chronic medication -- drugs taken regularly for a long time. But the growth in diabetes drugs dwarfs the growth in all other categories.

The findings come from data on prescription drug use among insured children served by St. Louis-based Express Scripts.

Emily R.Cox, PhD, RPh, senior director of research at Express Scripts and Sharon M. Homan, PhD, of St. Louis University presented the findings at this week's annual meeting of the American Public Health Association in Washington, D.C.

Cox and colleagues find that from the beginning of 2002 to the end of 2005, the percentage of U.S. kids on diabetes drugs doubled from about 0.3 per 1,000 children to about 0.6 per 1,000 children.

Driving that increase was a 166% increase among girls aged 10-14 and a 135% increase among girls aged 15-19.

It's not clear why the jump was seen in tween and teen girls, as boys aged 6-11 and 12-19 have higher obesity rates and greater growth rates.

"The trends in obesity-related drug therapy are not consistent with recent trends in childhood obesity," Cox and colleagues note in their presentation abstract.

Answer:

Your level is currently NormalHigh (hyperglycemia).Low (hypoglycemia).

If the level is below 70 and you are experiencing symptoms such as shaking, sweating or difficulty thinking, you will need to raise the number immediately. A quick solution is to eat a few pieces of hard candy or 1 tablespoon of sugar or honey. Recheck your numbers again in 15 minutes to see if the number has gone up. If not, repeat the steps above or call your doctor.

People who experience hypoglycemia several times in a week should call their health care provider. It's important to monitor your levels each day so you can make sure your numbers are within the range. If you are pregnant always consult with your health care provider.

Your blood sugar level is slightly high. You should call your health care provider and ask if laboratory tests to check for diabetes are needed. If you are pregnant always consult with your health care provider.

Congratulations on taking steps to manage your health.

However, it's important to continue to track your numbers so that you can make lifestyle changes if needed. If you are pregnant always consult with your physician.

Your level is currently normal. However, if you are concerned about diabetes speak with your physician. There may be other risk factors that increase your risk for diabetes.

Your level is high if this reading was taken before eating. Aim for 70-130 before meals and less than 180 two hours after meals.

Even if your number is high, it's not too late for you to take control of your health and lower your blood sugar.

One of the first steps is to monitor your levels each day. If you are pregnant always consult with your physician.

Your blood sugar level may be high, depending on when you last ate. If you have not eaten for at least 8 hours, your blood sugar should be less than 100. If you've eaten within the last 2 hours, your blood sugar should be less than 140. You should call your health care provider and ask if you need laboratory tests to check for diabetes. If you are pregnant always consult with your health care provider.

Blood sugars consistently above 180 warrant prompt medical attention.

Even if your number is high, it's not too late for you to take control of your health and lower your blood sugar.

One of the first steps is to monitor your levels each day. If you are pregnant always consult with your physician.

Your blood sugar level is high. You should call your health care provider and ask if laboratory tests to check for diabetes are needed. If you are pregnant always consult with your health care provider.

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