Signs & Symptoms of Diabetes in the Young

According to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation, of the 30,000 Americans diagnosed with type 1 diabetes each year, 15,000 are children. Signs and symptoms of diabetes in the young are sometimes difficult to determine because many of the symptoms can point to other illnesses and conditions. If your child is displaying symptoms that could point to diabetes, take him to a doctor for examination and testing.

Excessive Thirst and Urination

• Excess sugar can build up in the bloodstream and draw fluid from the surrounding organs and tissues. Children with diabetes often feel thirsty more than usual because of this. Increased liquid consumption often leads to excessive urination, which can also be a sign of diabetes in the young. Some diabetic children get up several times a night to drink or urinate.

Increased Appetite

• Organs and tissues that are deprived of sugar can become desperate for energy, causing a child's appetite to increase. Diabetic children's bodies do not have enough insulin to transport sugar to the cells and organs for energy. Increased appetite may come on suddenly, or a child's appetite may gradually increase over time.

Weight Loss

• Muscles and other tissues can begin to shrink if they do not receive enough sugar. According to the Mayo Clinic, sudden weight loss is often the first noticeable symptom of type 1 diabetes in young children. Though diabetic children often eat more, they continue to lose weight because of inadequate amounts of insulin to process and distribute the sugars their bodies need.

Vision Changes

• Children with diabetes often experience vision changes. Blurred vision typically comes on suddenly when a child's blood sugar is too high. They body pulls fluid from the eyes to accommodate for the increased sugar levels in the blood, which can make it difficult for a child to focus and see properly.

Fatigue

• Diabetic children often feel tired and lethargic no matter how much they sleep. Increasing the amount of sleep a child gets often does not help the situation. The organs and tissues of diabetic children do not get the energy they need from sugars, causing the child to feel weak or fatigued.

Behavior Changes

• Sudden behavior changes can be a symptom of type 1 diabetes in the young. When a child's blood sugar is too high, he may become highly irritable or confused. Children who display odd behavior may simply be acting out or the symptom may point to another condition, but children who experience severe behavior changes in conjunction with other symptoms of diabetes should be tested.