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Use Of Diabetes And Blood Pressure Drugs Among US Children Increase Significantly

Present findings suggest that a large number of children are taking drugs for tackling hypertension and diabetes. There has been a steep climb in the number since 2004. Liberman, a researcher noted that diabetic oral pills and hypertensive medications are on the raise among children. Liberman’s study attribute to over 6 million children and adolescents from age of 6 to 18.

Prescriptions pertaining to above-mentioned diseases has enhanced by 15% from the year 2004 to the year 2007. A segregated study revealed that diabetes was the clear winner with over 23% hike in medical prescriptions. Hypertension came second with a 15% hike. A surprising finding has been related to cholesterol-lowering drugs (including Lipitor, Crestor and Zocor) which spiraled down by 23% owing to controversies originating from giving cholesterol-lowering prescription to children.

Liberman believes that obesity is the main factor behind the rise. He feels respite from the fact that doctors are beginning to realize the consequences of child obesity and trying to diagnose and treat the disease early. Researchers have a view that type II diabetes; cholesterol and hypertension are sparsely treated. It is because most therapists feel shy of giving a long-term treatment to children. Goutham Rao, Clinical director at a child’s hospital in Pittsburgh suggests that not only the children but the parents too face a lot of discomfort. They are not at ease that their children use life long drug.

Another finding suggested that Native Alaskan and American Indian children have a higher propensity towards obesity than their white and Asian counterparts. Their study revealed that 18% of the children ages of four year olds were obese in 2005. This included 31% from Native Alaska and American Indian, 22 % from Hispaniola, 21 percent from the black population, 16 percent from the white and 13 percent from Asian.