ABSTRACT
The normal development of children should be first and foremost, and secondly physical education and sport should be regarded as fun along with the competitive aspect, which makes sport exciting. The same principles which apply to normal children apply to children with diabetes. This means considering their developmental stage, physiological development and physical capabilities, as well as the organisation of sport, suitability of equipment, appropriate coaching strategies and parental guidance. The benefits and risks of exercise for the child with diabetes are similar to those for adults. Evidence is lacking as to whether long-term control as a result of exercise is probable and whether there will be retardation or progression of complications. Young children with diabetes should be in optimal metabolic control to benefit from participation in sport.
Subject(s)
Humans , Child , Child Development , Diabetes Mellitus , Exercise , Growth , SportsABSTRACT
Homozygous sickle-cell (SS) disease is associated with retardation of physical and sexual development but most Jamaican children commence their adolescent growth spurt before 16 years of age. Analysis of growth from children in the Jamaican Cohort Study noted extreme growth retardation , defined as an absence of the adolescent growth spurt and pre-pubertal sexual development (Tanner stage 1 or 2) at age 16 years, in 8/52(15 per cent) SS boys. These and two boys from the general sickle-cell clinic with a similar growth pattern provided a study group of 10 boys who were investigated for a possible endocrine explanation for their extreme retardation of physical maturation. A sub-optimal testosterone response (<10 nmol/l) to human chorionic gonadotrophin and an exaggerated gonadotrophin hormone releasing hormone was consistent with poor testicular function in 5 boys. Retardation of adolescent growth and development is common in boys wit SS disease but, when extreme, requires early investigation to identify potentially correctable mechanisms