Type 2 diabetes on the rise among Wisconsin children – Iron Mountain Daily News

MADISON, Wis. (AP) New data shows a sharp increase in Type 2 diabetes among children in Wisconsin and doctors think COVID-19 could be a factor.

Figures from UW Health Kids shows a nearly 200% increase in the number of cases over the last several years.

Dr. Elizabeth Mann is a pediatric endocrinologist and director of the Type 2 Diabetes Program at UW Health Kids. Mann says its a trend medical experts have noticed for years, but its taken a worrisome turn recently.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, weve just seen a sharp increase beyond what we had expected, Mann said.

In 2018, 5.8% percent of pediatric patients with new onset diabetes at Madisons American Family Childrens Hospital had Type 2, a disease that primarily affects adults. In 2021, that number grew to 16.4%. And so far in 2022, 1 in 6 pediatric patients at the childrens hospital with new onset diabetes has Type 2, Wisconsin Public Radio reported.

In kids, this Type 2 diabetes just acts a little bit more aggressively, Mann said. So its not only that were seeing Type 2 diabetes at younger ages, but it also seems to be a more severe form where kids are needing more medications and have more significant complications from it.

In Type 2 diabetes, the most prevalent form overall, the pancreas produces insulin but the body has developed a resistance to it.

Mann said there is a common misconception that Type 2 diabetes is purely a result of diet and activity levels. She said genetics and epigenetics play a big role in making people more susceptible to the disease.

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Type 2 diabetes on the rise among Wisconsin children - Iron Mountain Daily News