Symptoms of Infant Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes, the unpreventable form caused by immune system problems, is much less common than the lifestyle-influenced Type 2 diabetes. But doctors still diagnose thousands of cases in children each year, according to the National Diabetes Information Clearing House. Infants can't communicate symptoms verbally, but there are signs for which parents can monitor so that they can catch and begin treating infant diabetes as quickly as possible.

Knowing the Risk

• Type 1 diabetes makes up at most 10 percent of all diabetes cases but affects 1 of every 400 to 600 children, according to the National Diabetes Information Clearing House. White, non-Hispanic children are the most susceptible. Although genetics might play a factor, Type 1 diabetes can develop in children with no prior family history of the condition.

Diapers

• Frequent urination is a sign of diabetes, so parents should monitor their infants' urination habits. Constantly wet diapers could be a symptom of diabetes, as could a case of diaper rash that does not heal or reappears several times.

Eating Habits

• Diabetics experience extreme hunger and constant thirst. If an infant seems to constantly want to feed, that could be a warning sign of diabetes.

Mood

• Infants can be naturally fussy, particular in the presence of colic. If an infant seems extremely irritable even without colic, however, that could be a sign of diabetes.

Sleeping Habits

• Increased fatigue is a symptom of diabetes, so the condition could cause infants to sleep more than usual.