Future Health Frontiers Q&A Women’s Health Pregnancy & Prenatal Care

Will parents with diabetes pass it on to their children?

Asked by:Jade

Asked on:Apr 03, 2026 05:16 PM

Answers:1 Views:599
  • Griffin Griffin

    Apr 03, 2026

      Can parents with diabetes pass it on to their children? will be passed on to children. If the child's father has type 1 diabetes and has been dependent on insulin, or if he was diagnosed with diabetes as a teenager, the chance of inheriting the disease is 1 in 17. But if the mother of the child has type 1 diabetes and is under 25 when the child is born, the chance of inheriting it is only one in 25. If the mother gives birth to the child after she is 25 years old, the chance of inheriting it will be reduced to one in 100. However, if both parents have type 1 diabetes, the chance of inheriting it increases to one in four.

      Type 2 diabetes is a form of weight-related diabetes that is more heritable. If one parent has type 2 diabetes, the chance of inheriting it is between 1 in 7 and 13; but if both parents have type 2 diabetes, the chance of inheriting the disease increases to 1 in 20.

      In fact, for children with a family history of type 2 diabetes, the danger is only apparent when they are also overweight. But nowadays, the phenomenon of child obesity is becoming more and more widespread. Therefore, the number of children with type 2 diabetes is increasing day by day. Both types of diabetes can cause heart disease, kidney disease, nerve problems and dangers of vision loss.

      best precautions : Some studies have shown that breastfeeding your baby all the time and adding complementary foods after he is 6 months old can slightly reduce the chance of type 1 diabetes; for type 2 diabetes, make sure that the child's body is fully fed. exercise , to avoid fat accumulation. Experts suggest that it is best to limit children's consumption of finely processed starchy foods, such as potatoes and refined white flour. If your child is overweight and has a family history of diabetes, it is best to conduct a blood test after the child is 10 years old to determine whether he or she has type 2 diabetes.

      Reminder: To ensure that your child’s diet is nutritious, please give your child more fruits, vegetables, whole grain foods, and vegetable oil (olive oil, etc.). >>>> How should pregnant women prevent and treat vaginitis

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