Daijiworld Media Network – New Delhi

New Delhi, Sep 3: Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) are often associated with adulthood, but several such conditions can affect children and young adults, with some present from birth and others developing during childhood or adolescence.

According to Dr Mangesh Gadhari, Health Specialist at UNICEF Maharashtra, the changing disease profile in India has made NCDs an important public health concern. Childhood NCDs can include congenital and acquired cardiovascular diseases, type 1 diabetes, cancers, chronic respiratory diseases and mental health disorders.

Such conditions can affect more than a child’s physical health. Children with type 1 diabetes may require lifelong insulin, while those with asthma may need to learn how to identify and manage triggers. These conditions can also affect schooling, emotional well-being and family life.

Childhood NCDs are sometimes overlooked because parents may not immediately associate symptoms with conditions generally considered to be adult illnesses. Persistent tiredness, increased thirst, changes in appetite, weight, sleep or energy levels may initially be attributed to routine childhood activities or changes in weather.

Unlike illnesses that appear suddenly, some NCDs develop gradually, making changes in a child’s health more difficult to recognise. In the case of type 1 diabetes, excessive thirst, frequent urination, unexplained weight loss and fatigue can occur before diagnosis. In some cases, children may first be diagnosed after developing diabetic ketoacidosis, a medical emergency.

A child’s age and stage of development can also influence how symptoms are expressed or communicated. Mental health disorders, for instance, may appear through irritability, refusal to play, changes in appetite, disturbed sleep or declining school performance, particularly among younger children who may find it difficult to express their emotions.

Similarly, children experiencing breathing difficulties during physical activity may not be able to clearly describe their symptoms and may gradually avoid sports or other activities.

Parents should seek medical advice when unexplained changes begin affecting a child’s daily activities, including playing, exercising, attending school, eating or sleeping. A child’s medical history and family history can also be important in assessing such symptoms.

Persistent or recurring cough, particularly when accompanied by wheezing, breathlessness or reduced tolerance for physical activity, should be medically evaluated, especially when there is a family history of asthma.

Certain visible changes, such as bluish discolouration of the lips or skin or sudden unexplained changes in weight, should also not be ignored. While such signs do not necessarily indicate an NCD, they warrant appropriate medical assessment.

Experts also stress that prevention should begin early in life. Around 70% of preventable adult deaths from NCDs are linked to risk factors that begin during adolescence, making childhood and adolescence important periods for prevention.

The Developmental Origins of Health and Disease approach highlights how exposures during early life, including the period in the womb and infancy, can influence health risks later in life.

Reduced physical activity, increased screen time, easy access to highly processed foods and environmental factors such as air pollution can become part of a child’s routine and contribute to long-term health risks.

Childhood obesity is another concern that should not be overlooked. An overweight or obese child may sometimes be considered simply “well-fed” or “chubby”, but obesity is a health condition that can increase the risk of hypertension and type 2 diabetes.

Experts have also highlighted the “thin-fat” or “skinny-fat” phenotype, in which a person may appear relatively lean while having a higher proportion of abdominal body fat and lower muscle mass.

Healthy habits should therefore become part of normal family life rather than being introduced only after health problems arise. Regular physical activity, balanced eating habits and a healthy lifestyle during childhood can help reduce health risks later in life.

Childhood NCDs do not always present with obvious symptoms, making awareness, early recognition and timely medical evaluation important for protecting children’s long-term health.