12 symptoms of childhood diabetes (and how to diagnose)

Symptoms of diabetes in children include drinking a lot of water, urinating several times a day, getting tired quickly or being very hungry, as well as behavioral changes such as irritability.

These symptoms can vary depending on the type of diabetes the child has, which can be type 1 diabetes, caused by the decrease or absence of insulin production by the pancreas, or type 2 diabetes, which occurs due to the body’s resistance to insulin. insulin.

If the child presents symptoms of diabetes, a consultation with the pediatrician should be carried out to evaluate the symptoms, perform examinations, confirm the diagnosis and initiate appropriate treatment, which may include diet, exercise or the use of medications.

12 symptoms of diabetes in children

The symptoms of diabetes in children vary depending on the type of diabetes, the main ones being:

1. Symptoms of type 1 diabetes

The main symptoms of type 1 diabetes in children are:

• Excessive thirst;
• Excessive urination, more than 2.5 liters per day;
• Unexplained weight loss for weeks or months;
• Very hungry;
• Excessive fatigue;
• Irritability.

Additionally, type 1 diabetes, when not diagnosed or treated correctly, can cause diabetic ketoacidosis, with symptoms such as breath that smells like rotten apples, vomiting, abdominal pain, dehydration, or rapid, shallow breathing.

This is the most common type of diabetes in children and can develop suddenly, with intense symptoms; However, many cases develop gradually and silently.

2. Symptoms of type 2 diabetes

The main symptoms of type 2 diabetes in children are:

• Increased thirst and hunger;
• Dry mouth;
• Frequent urge to urinate;
• Fatigue;
• Frequent infections;
• Blurred or cloudy vision.

Additionally, the child may have mild unexplained weight loss and dark discoloration in fold areas, such as the armpits and neck, known as acanthosis nigricans.

However, in many cases, this type of diabetes may not cause any symptoms, developing silently.

Read Related: Diabetes: Types, Symptoms and Treatment

Diagnosis of childhood diabetes

To diagnose whether the child has diabetes, the pediatrician will order blood glucose tests, which may include fasting glucose and/or the glucose tolerance test.

In this way, it is possible to identify the type of diabetes and begin the ideal treatment for each child. 

How the treatment for diabetic patient is performed

Treatment of diabetes in children should be carried out under the guidance of a pediatrician or endocrinologist and varies depending on the type of diabetes.

In this way, the doctor may indicate changes in diet, the practice of physical exercise, or the use of insulin or oral antidiabetics. Learn how to treat type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Understand the medications used to treat diabetes . 

In all cases, glycemic control is essential and should be carried out daily, according to the guidance of the pediatrician or endocrinologist.