Why did my daughter get Type 1 diabetes? I wish I had it instead of her.
BK
San Francisco CA
Dear BK,
I have been asked this question many times over the years, especially by parents like yourself who are learning to cope with their newly diagnosed child. A type 1 diabetes diagnosis means that your daughter’s immune system is attacking her pancreatic insulin beta cells. Diabetes has a hereditary component, meaning there is a genetic predisposition involved in the diagnosis.
What Are The Risk Factors For a Type 1 Diagnosis?
Type 1 diabetes is more common in certain ethnic groups, with Caucasians having a higher prevalence. Additionally, children who are not breastfed and those living in colder climates are at a higher risk. Environmental factors can also trigger a genetic predisposition.
Regarding the likelihood of a child being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes:
- If the mother has type 1 diabetes, the risk of the child developing it is about 3-4%.
- If the father has type 1 diabetes, the risk increases to about 6-8%.
- If neither parent has type 1 diabetes, the risk is approximately 0.3%.
According to the American Diabetes Association (ADA), researchers are learning how to predict a person’s odds of getting diabetes. For example, most whites with type 1 diabetes have genes called HLA-DR3 or HLA-DR4. If you and your child are white and share these genes, your child’s risk is higher. (Suspect genes in other ethnic groups are less well studied. The HLA-DR7 gene may put African Americans at risk, and the HLA-DR9 gene may put Japanese at risk.)
Other tests can also make your child’s risk clearer. A special test that tells how the body responds to glucose can indicate which school-aged children are most at risk. Another, more expensive test can be done for children who have siblings with type 1 diabetes. This test measures antibodies to insulin, islet cells in the pancreas, or an enzyme called glutamic acid decarboxylase. High levels can indicate a higher risk of developing type 1 diabetes.
My Advice to You
Let go of why this happened to your family. Surrender is the best starting point; otherwise, you will drive yourself crazy wishing it was you and not your child. Most parents echo your thoughts.
Join a support group where you can make friends with other parents who are coping with similar concerns. Enroll your daughter in one of the camps organized by the Diabetes Education Camping Association (https://www.diabetescamps.org/).
It’s never easy in the beginning, but as time passes, you will have a new intimate group of friends that you can trust and share your deepest thoughts with.
You may also be interested in reading Surprised Celebrity Parents Discovering Their Children Have Type 1 Diabetes
and How Do I Lower My Blood Sugar When it Goes Over 200 mg/dL?
Source:
American Diabetes Association (ADA). “Genetics of Diabetes.” Retrieved from diabetes.org.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). “Type 1 Diabetes.” Retrieved from cdc.gov.
Diabetes Education Camping Association. Retrieved from diabetescamps.org.
Disclaimer:
Nadia’s feedback on your question is in no way intended to initiate or replace your healthcare professional’s therapy or advice. Please check in with your medical team to discuss your diabetes management concerns.
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About Nadia:
Nadia helps people with diabetes make informed decisions to avoid the devastating effects of diabetes complications.
Nadia was not only born into a family with diabetes but also married into one. She was propelled at a young age into “caretaker mode,” and with her knowledge of the scarcity of resources, support, and understanding for people with diabetes, co-founded Diabetes Interview, now Diabetes Health magazine.
Under her reign- Diabetes Health magazine was named one of the top 10 magazines to follow in the world for 2018 by Feedspot Blog Reader.
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