Daijiworld Media Network – Pune

Pune, Jul 31: Children and adolescents living with type 1 diabetes may experience progressive weakening of their bones alongside worsening blood sugar control, according to a recent four-year study conducted by a Pune-based hospital.

The study tracked 200 children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM) in western India and found that their average blood sugar levels (HbA1c) increased over time. The participants also required higher doses of insulin, while their bodies became less responsive to the hormone.

Researchers observed a significant decline in trabecular bone density—the spongy inner part of the bone—during the study period. Compared to healthy children of the same age, the participants showed a greater reduction in bone density, suggesting impaired skeletal development.

The study also found that as the children grew older, the cortical bone, which forms the hard outer layer of the skeleton, became thinner. Although the mineral concentration in this layer increased slightly, the reduced thickness indicated an overall weakening of bone structure.

Experts noted that childhood and adolescence are crucial periods for building peak bone mass, making bone health an important but often overlooked aspect of managing type 1 diabetes. They stressed that early identification of bone-related complications can help prevent long-term health problems.

To promote bone health in children with type 1 diabetes, experts recommend maintaining good blood sugar control, ensuring adequate intake of calcium and vitamin D, engaging in regular weight-bearing physical activity, consuming a balanced diet rich in fruits and vegetables, and maintaining a healthy body weight.

They said proper diabetes management, along with healthy lifestyle habits, can play a key role in supporting bone development and reducing the risk of fractures and other skeletal complications later in life.