Type 2 diabetes now accounts for 15% of childhood diabetes cases – KATH study

Health specialists at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) are warning of a sharp rise in diabetes among children in Ghana, with new research showing that Type 2 diabetes, once considered rare in young people, is becoming increasingly common.

A recent study by doctors at the hospital found that Type 2 diabetes now accounts for about 15% of childhood diabetes cases in Ghana, up from an estimated 5%.

Specialists attribute the increase to unhealthy diets, physical inactivity and delayed diagnosis, warning that the trend could have serious long-term consequences if it continues.

For 16-year-old Akosua Yeboah, not her real name, the diagnosis came after months of uncertainty.

At age 14, she developed excessive thirst, frequent urination and unexplained weight loss. She was initially treated for a urinary tract infection before doctors eventually diagnosed her with Type 1 diabetes.

“I thought I wasn’t going to live for long. I thought I was going to die. I knew nothing about Type 1 diabetes. The only thing I knew was that diabetes affected adults,” she said.

Twenty-seven-year-old Gideon Tettey had a similar experience after developing Type 1 diabetes as a teenager. He recognised the symptoms from a radio health programme before seeking medical care, but said misinformation and stigma made coping with the disease even harder.

“I was losing weight, my stomach became swollen, and some people believed I had been cursed. Since neither of my parents had diabetes, my family was frightened and gave me herbal medicine because they believed it could cure me,” he said.

Paediatric endocrinologist and child health specialist Professor Emmanuel Ameyaw said such cases are becoming increasingly common.

When KATH established its diabetes clinic in 2012, only one child was receiving treatment. Today, the clinic manages more than 400 children with diabetes, a figure he believes represents only a fraction of those living with the disease.

“We now have over 400 children living with diabetes, so it is no longer uncommon. There are many more children out there living with the disease, and we need to find them,” he said.

Professor Ameyaw said the growing number of children with Type 2 diabetes is particularly worrying because the condition has traditionally affected adults.

“Our recent study found that about 15% of children with diabetes have Type 2 diabetes, which tells us the condition is becoming more common among children,” he said.

He attributed the rise to unhealthy eating habits, sugary drinks, processed foods, obesity and increasingly sedentary lifestyles.

“In Ghana, when a child gains a lot of weight, it is often seen as a sign of good health. But obesity is linked to many diseases, including insulin resistance. Children should eat well, but they should also eat healthily,” he said.

Professor Ameyaw also called for stronger government support to improve access to insulin and other essential medicines.

“The support we currently receive for children with Type 1 diabetes comes mainly from foreign donors. Although insulin is covered under the National Health Insurance Scheme, it is often unavailable in many hospitals. Government support remains minimal,” he said.

Doctors say managing diabetes also requires close attention to oral health.

Resident Orthodontist Dr. Isaac Akotoye said diabetes and oral diseases can worsen each other if left untreated.

“Diabetes can affect oral health in several ways. If a person already has an oral disease such as periodontitis, diabetes can make the condition worse and may even lead to tooth loss. Even without a pre-existing oral condition, diabetes can cause problems such as periodontal abscesses, dry mouth and dental cavities,” he said.

Medical Officer at KATH’s Oral Diagnosis Department, Dr. Ama Boakyewaa Yeboah, said persistent dry mouth, swollen gums, recurring mouth infections and delayed wound healing could all be early warning signs of diabetes.

She urged parents to seek prompt medical attention when children develop such symptoms rather than dismissing them as minor ailments.

She also encouraged families to promote balanced diets, reduce sugary snacks and processed foods, and ensure children engage in regular physical activity to help lower the risk of diabetes.