Bengaluru: City doctors report a surge in autoimmune disorders among children, now affecting 1 in 10, with an alarming 20% annual increase since the pandemic.
Paediatric experts attribute this rise in autoimmune disorders like Type 1 diabetes, juvenile arthritis and Celiac disease to a mix of genetic, environmental and lifestyle factors. These causes have also led to a rise in cases of food and environmental allergies, eczema and lactose intolerance.
What is an autoimmune disorder? Autoimmune disorders result when one’s immune system is overactive, causing it to attack and damage your body’s own tissues.
Dr Sameera S Rao, consultant paediatrician and neonatologist at Motherhood Hospitals, emphasised the interplay of environmental and lifestyle factors: “Increased exposure to pollutants like mercury, pesticides and industrial chemicals, poor dietary and lifestyle habits have precipitated immune system alterations. For every 10 children we see at the hospital, one is diagnosed with an autoimmune disorder. Processed foods, chemical preservatives and reduced exposure to microbes in early life may lead to immune overreaction, setting the stage for autoimmune disorders,” she added.
The pandemic left a lasting mark on children’s health, said Dr Yogesh Kumar Gupta, consultant paediatrician at Fortis Hospital. “Pre-Covid, we saw one case every three months. Now, we diagnose at least two cases a month — a 20-25% rise. Viral infections, including Covid-19, can act as autoimmune triggers in genetically predisposed children. Antibiotic overuse and gut microbiota disruptions have all contributed to this surge,” explained Dr Yogesh.
Dr Sampat Kumar Shettigar from Kinder Women’s Hospital explained the role of reduced microbial exposure and lifestyle shifts. He said, “Increased indoor activities, vitamin D deficiency, pollution and infections like the Epstein-Barr virus have become major concerns. Early-life exposure to microbes helps regulate the immune system. Over-sanitised environments, combined with a rise in processed foods, reduce this exposure, leading to immune overactivity. Autoimmune illnesses like Type 1 diabetes often emerge during critical age brackets, such as 4-7 and 10-14 years.”
While rising incidence rates are concerning, advances in medical diagnostics also play a role, said Dr Chandrika Bhat from Rainbow Children’s Hospital. “We’re detecting autoimmune conditions more frequently due to improved awareness and better diagnostic tools. Comparatively, we have more paediatric rheumatologists than earlier, which can contribute to the surge,” she said.
These incurable autoimmune disorders can affect quality of life of children with lifelong immunosuppressants or anti-inflammatories, but with increased awareness and proper counselling for parents and kids, they can be managed, say experts.
BOX 1:
Common autoimmune disorders among children
– Type 1 Diabetes: Autoimmune attack on insulin-producing cells
– Juvenile arthritis: Caused due to genetic predisposition and immune system dysfunction
– Celiac Disease: Immune reaction to eating protein, gluten, causing inflammation that damages the small intestine’s lining.
Source: Dr Sameera S Rao, consultant – paediatrician and neonatologist, Motherhood Hospitals