Type 1 diabetes in children
All parents know that
babies and young children sleep and drink a lot. But if your child is suddenly
much more sleepy or thirsty than usual, it could be a symptom of type 1
diabetes.
It used to be called
juvenile diabetes because most people with it were young children. Your child
can get type 1 diabetes in infancy, later in life, or during adolescence. Most
often it appears after the age of 5 years. But some people don't realize this
until the age of 30.
Know the symptoms of
type 1 diabetes to help your child stay healthy.
Understanding type 1 diabetes
This is not the same
as "classic" or type 2 diabetes, which is often associated with
obesity and occurs in adults (but can also occur in children, usually after 10
years).
If your child has
type 1 diabetes, it means that their pancreas — an organ on the upper right
side of the stomach — makes little or no insulin. The disease is an autoimmune
disease, which means that it occurs when the body's defense system attacks and
destroys the cells that produce insulin.
What to monitor
Symptoms of type 1
diabetes in infants and children can appear very suddenly. Watch for these
signs in your baby or child:
- Sudden strange behavior (acting “drunk”)
- Breath that smells fruity, sweet, or like wine
- Extreme drowsiness or lack of energy
- Ongoing, intense thirst
- Grunting while breathing
- Heavy breathing
- Huge appetite
- Sudden vision changes
- Sudden weight loss
- Peeing more often (infants and toddlers may have more wet diapers than usual)
- Difficulty breathing
When to call the doctor
Type 1 diabetes can
cause sudden and dramatic fluctuations in blood sugar levels, which can be
dangerous. If you notice any symptoms of diabetes in your child, it's important
that they get a physical exam as soon as possible so their doctor can start
treatment right away.
Your doctor will do a
simple urine test to check for glucose (sugar) in your urine. A more
sophisticated test called an oral glucose tolerance test can tell for sure if
it's type 1 diabetes. Your child will need to follow a special diet before this
procedure.
If your child has
already been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, call your doctor if you notice any
of these signs of low blood sugar:
- Blurry or double vision
- Cold, clammy skin
- Confusion
- Dizziness
- Drowsiness or tiredness
- Extreme or sudden hunger
- Headache
- Pale, moist skin
- Rapid pulse
- Shallow breathing
- Sweating
- Weakness
Low blood sugar can be fatal for children with type 1 diabetes. Always seek emergency medical attention if your child becomes unconscious or has seizures.