Kubendran Pillay MBChB (Natal), DCH (SA), FCPaed (SA)

Dr. Kubendran Pillay, a pediatric endocrinologist at Westville and Albert Luthuli Hospitals, said children with diabetes cope with varying degrees of success. "One should not underestimate the enormous effect it has on their lives," he said. "They have to deal with the disease on a daily basis and are unable to have a completely normal childhood. Some adapt well to the lifestyle changes but many have psychological problems and they need a lot of support. Sometimes schools are unwilling to take them and there are other problems they have to deal with.

His youngest patient is just six weeks old - there is a lot ahead for this child to cope with. "Pillay said that diabetes in children was not difficult to diagnose and the symptoms were the same as in adults - excessive thirst, increase urination (see box). He urged parents to take their children for a simple sugar test if they were suspicious. "It's simple and painless, sugar levels are measured in a urine sample, and it can be done at your GP, clinic or pharmacy. "While relatively uncommon, diabetes type 1 is on the increase he said, though reasons for this are unknown.