Type I and Kids
Hi,
I am 34 years old and have been Type I since past 5 years now.
I was diagonized as Type I in 1998. My wife is fine and does not have
any problems. I and my wife plan to have kids, but we have been
avoiding it for the last four years.
My questions are:
1) How likely is it that we may have kids born with Type I ?
2) How likely is it that we may have kids born with Type II ?
3) If we wait any longer, will the chances increase that my kids may
be born with Diabetes ?
Any comments would be greatly appreciated.
Thank You.
January 22nd, 2004 at 4:51 pm
“People who have a first-degree relative (parent, brother, sister or child) with
diabetes are at much higher risk of developing diabetes than the general
population. People in some ethnic groups (with similar genes), such as
American Indians and Caucasians, have a higher incidence of type 1
diabetes than other ethnic groups.
Although a specific “diabetes gene” has not been identified, many genes
have been linked to type 1 diabetes. The best-studied is a cluster of genes
known as the HLA complex.
This group of genes contains the blueprints for making proteins involved in
the immune system’s response to foreign substances. Problems with these
proteins may cause the immune system to attack the insulin-producing beta
cells of the pancreas.
Variations of a particular gene are called alleles. Certain combinations of HLA
gene alleles are more common in people with type 1 diabetes. They may
account for 40 percent to 50 percent of the genetic risk of developing type 1
diabetes.
Other combinations of HLA alleles are not linked to the disease, and some
might actually protect against type 1 diabetes.
Genetics alone does not explain why people get type 1 diabetes. For
example, many people who have HLA allele patterns associated with type 1
diabetes never develop the disease.
Out of 100 people with Type 1 diabetes, 80 have no family members with the
disease. The remaining 20 people have at least one family member with
diabetes. Although most people in the population have a 0.4 percent chance
of developing Type 1 diabetes, the risk increases to about two percent if your
mother has diabetes and six percent if your father or siblings have Type 1
diabetes.”
SO… Basically, children (I have 2, and have been type 1 for 38 years…) are a
crap-shoot in every way. IF you want children, by all means, go have
children. My children are adopted, but that had little to do with my diabetes,
and everything to do with the inability of my wife and I to concieve. Back
then,
they had little or no information about genetic risks, or even a clear
understanding of the differences between type 1 and type 1. Besides, the
numbers given are merely statictical, nothing more. In fact (in my humble
opinion), your chance is either 0% or 100%–either you do or you don’t.
Michael
Type 1 since 1965
January 23rd, 2004 at 3:34 pm
Just a thought for all of you. I had diabetic grandparents on both sides of my family. As of today (12 Juanuary 2004), I have been insulin dependent for 27 years. My Mom once told me that, had they thought about it, they might not have had kids at all. Mom also told me that she is glad they didn’t think about it. So am I. I thank God every day that I’m diabetic, and that I don’t have cancer or aids. At least this I can LIVE with. I hope that, when I have kids, they don’t get it, but if they do, at least I will know what is going on & what needs to be done. My prayers are with you, whatever you decide.