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Diabetic Symptoms in Kids

Diabetic symptoms in kids can be difficult to spot. According to the American Diabetes Association, diabetes in children is often overlooked because its symptoms seem to be harmless. While thirst and frequent urination are considered the hallmark signs of diabetes, in children these symptoms may not be immediately evident, or severe enough to indicate a problem.

  1. Diabetes Types

    • The majority of children diagnosed with diabetes have type 1, formerly called juvenile diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune disorder that causes the immune cells to attack the beta cells in the pancreas that are responsible for making insulin. Insulin is used by the body to convert sugars, starches and other food products into energy. When the beta cells are attacked they stop producing insulin all together, or don't produce enough insulin to meet the body's needs. Beta cells continue to produce insulin in type 2 diabetes. In some cases, insulin production is not sufficient, but in other cases the problem is that the body is unable to respond appropriately to the insulin that is produced.

    Thirst and Frequent Urination

    • Symptoms of diabetes are usually the same despite the type. Because your child's pancreas is no longer able to adequately convert sugars and starches into energy, his body's glucose, or sugar level, starts to rise. This increase causes extra fluid to be pulled from the tissues, which causes thirst. The more fluid your child drinks, the more he will urinate.

    Hunger and Weight Loss

    • Lack of insulin also means that your child's muscles and organs don't get the energy they need for optimal function. When this happens, your child's body demands more food in an attempt to amp up his energy level, increasing his appetite. Even though your child is eating more, he may be rapidly losing weight as muscle and fat stores start to shrink. Unexplained weight loss is always a cause for concern and should be evaluated by your child's doctor.

    Other Symptoms

    • Fluid is also pulled from the eyes, resulting in blurred vision. If your child already wears glasses, this symptom can be easily confused with a need to change your child's eyeglass prescription. Other symptoms of diabetes include irritability and fatigue. Girls are prone to yeast infections.

    Risk Factors

    • According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), each year more than 13,000 children in the United States are diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. The CDC reports that cases of type 2 diabetes in children have risen in the last two decades. Obesity and inactivity are major risk factors for developing type 2. American Indian children are particularly susceptible. If you have a close relative with type 1 diabetes, your child may be at an increased risk for developing the disease, though the majority of children diagnosed with type 1 have no family history of the disease.

    The Sugar Connection

    • Eating sugar does not cause diabetes. In the past, people with diabetes were prohibited from eating food containing sugar, but that recommendation has changed and sugar is now allowed in controlled amounts.

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