Diabetes in Children: Signs and Symptoms
Diabetes is most common in middle-aged or older adults, so it’s typically thought of as an adult disease. But it can affect children and teens as well. Knowing the basics about childhood diabetes and what signs to watch for can help you keep your kids healthy.
Diabetes affects the body’s ability to produce insulin, a hormone that helps turn sugar into energy. People with diabetes don’t produce insulin or can’t produce enough, causing excess sugars to get stuck in their bloodstream and setting up several potential issues.
There are two common forms of diabetes: type 1 and type 2. Type 1 diabetes, in which someone can’t make insulin, accounts for only 5% to 10% of diabetes cases,, but is more likely to affect kids. In type 2, the body doesn’t use insulin like it should and eventually may slow its insulin production. Type 2 is mostly diagnosed in adults but can affect kids older than 10.
There are two peak periods when children are more at risk to develop diabetes. First, from ages 5 to 6, then several years later from ages 11 to 13.
Left untreated, high blood sugar and dehydration from diabetes can send a child to the emergency room. So especially during those years, it’s important to watch for signs of diabetes.
Some of the most common diabetes symptoms include:
Increased urination caused by high blood sugar causing the body to pull fluid from tissues. This often appears in children as unusual bedwetting after potty-training age. In turn, it leads to dehydration and extreme thirst.
Fatigue, increased appetite and unexplained weight loss brought on by the body struggling to convert sugars into usable energy.
Fruity or sweet-smelling breath due to excess sugar in the blood.
Other related symptoms include vision changes, dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, pain or numbness in extremities and slow-healing cuts.
If you notice your child is experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s vital that you talk to your pediatrician about your concerns. Your pediatrician can then accurately diagnose your child by testing their blood sugar or the number of ketones in their urine.
Although you might consider using a friend or relative’s glucose meter, the American Academy of Pediatrics does not recommend trying to test a child on your own. Your safest bet is to speak with your family doctor.
Although there's no cure, it’s possible to manage and live with diabetes, especially when diagnosed early. Supplemental insulin (via shots or an insulin pump), a healthy diet, and regular exercise can all help kids manage their diabetes and live normal lives.
