Diabetes is a major health problem that can affect anyone, even children. Most people think that diabetes is an adult disease but the truth is that thousands of children get diagnosed each year.
In the USA, especially in Texas, more than 3,4000 children are diagnosed with diabetes, and every year, thousands more get diagnosed. Children can develop diabetes suddenly, sometimes within days or weeks.
A late diagnosis can be a life-threatening condition, leading to a child being admitted to the intensive care unit. So, it is important for parents to recognize the early signs of diabetes in kids, before it’s too late.
Diabetes in Children Overview
Diabetes is a condition in which the body cannot properly regulate blood sugar levels due to either not producing enough insulin or being unable to use insulin effectively. It can slowly cause serious health problems. There are usually two types of diabetes:
Type 1 Diabetes: It is an autoimmune disorder where the immune system of your child attacks the insulin, producing beta cells in the pancreas. In this type, your child regularly needs insulin to survive. Insulin is given through injections or an insulin pump. Type 1 is the most common form of diabetes among children.
Type 2 Diabetes: It is rarely seen in children. It is more common in older children and teenagers. With type 2 diabetes, the pancreas still produces insulin, but the body does not respond to it properly, which is known as insulin resistance.
Based on the national health data, it is estimated that about 1 in 400 to 600 children and adolescents in the U. S. are diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. These statistics explain why parents should learn about the early signs of diabetes in children.
Some of the early signs of diabetes are as follows:
1. Increased Thirst (Polydipsia)
Polydipsia is a medical term for excessively increased thirst. It is not merely a desire for water. It is a sensation of being constantly thirsty even after drinking.
If your kid is suddenly very thirsty all the time, finishing water bottles quickly, waking up at night to drink, or is complaining of dry mouth, this may be one of the first signs of diabetes in children.
When blood sugar rises, the kidneys attempt to eliminate the extra glucose through urine. This causes dehydration, which in turn increases the desire for water.
This can be one of the first signs of diabetes in kids.
2. Frequent Urination (Polyuria)
Polyuria can be defined as excessive amounts of urine in your child, or your child feels the need to urinate much more frequently than normal.
Drinking more water will increase bathroom visits, but in diabetes, the urination goes beyond the normal level, resulting in excess urination.
It is interesting to note that studies indicate that 56-97% of the children at the time of diagnosis reported polyuria, hence making it one of the leading signs of diabetes in kids.
In diabetes, bedwetting is one of the most disregarded signs of diabetes, especially when parents think that it is a behavior or stress problem.
3. Sudden Weight Loss in Kids
If your child has diabetes, you will see that he\she is losing weight even if their food intake is normal or they may eat more than usual.
This happens because without insulin, glucose is unable to get to cells and provide energy. Instead, the body begins to decompose fat and muscle.
If our child is becoming thinner, or the clothes seem to loosen, or there is a significant loss of weight without any attempts,, it is enough to raise concerns. If this happens, it is very important to see a doctor immediately as it might be a sign of diabetes.
4. Feeling Hungry
Your kid will be much hungrier than usual and will eat more than normal. Still, they won’t be satisfied. It is one of the traditional symptoms of Type 1 diabetes in children.
Even if your child is eating, their cells aren’t getting the glucose they need for energy because the body lacks insulin.
As a parent, you should look for a sudden increase in your child’s appetite, constant snacking, more frequent food requests than usual, or he/she eating without gaining weight.
5. Fatigue and Irritability
When glucose stays out of cells, your child may experience strong fatigue or laziness. Your child may be so tired after meals that at times he or she may even find it difficult to keep his or her eyes open.
Sometimes you may see the following signs:
- Less interest in playing
- Going to bed earlier than normal
- Difficulty concentrating at school
- Being always moody or irritable
Fatigue is a sign that appears even before more obvious symptoms like increased thirst or urination. Blood sugar spike and slight dehydration can make the fatigue even worse, and thus, children can look very tired and sleepy even after having enough food. Teachers are more likely to first notice these changes than the parents.
6. Blurred Vision
High blood sugar temporarily alters the shape and flexibility of your child’s eye lens, changing how light focuses on the retina and causing blurred vision. This symptom commonly appears in Type 1 diabetes.
Your child might not be able to express to you verbally, “I can’t see clearly. ” However, you will see that he/she changes the angle of his/her head to see, gets closer to books, tablets, or screens in order to see better, or complains of a headache.
Studies also indicate that temporary blurred vision is one of the common initial symptoms in children who have just been diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes. If you ignore continuous high blood sugar, it can lead to diabetic retinopathy in the later years of life.
7. Fruity Breath or Nausea (Emergency Signs)
A fruity or sweet breath odor is a common sign of diabetes, it shows that the blood is flooded with sugar.
But if you notice that your child has a fruity-smelling breath along with stomach pain, fatigue, nausea or vomiting, it may be a sign of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). It is a serious life-threatening complication and immediately seek medical care.
In the hospital, doctors will test your child’s blood sugar and ketones levels. And give them IV fluids and insulin, and watch their vital organs closely until your child is stable.
When Should Parents Go For Testing?
If you observe two or more symptoms, especially more thirst and frequent urination in your kid, testing shouldn’t be postponed. Your provider will order following tests:
- A blood glucose test
- Hemoglobin A1C test
- Urine ketone test
Those are easy, quick tests and mostly insurance covers them if symptoms are present.
Also, if you suspect that your child might be developing diabetes, it is best to observe the symptoms for a couple of days such as tracking changes in thirst, urination, and weight. Once you are sure of these symptoms, get an appointment with a provider.
Final Thoughts
The signs of diabetes in kids can develop quickly even within days or weeks. This is why parents need to be very vigilant and proactive in looking out for early signs of diabetes in kids.
An easy way to remember the common symptoms as 4 Ts: Toilet, Thirsty, Tired, and Thinner. In addition, your child might be getting more infections or even minor wounds take forever to heal.
A lot of children are not diagnosed until they become diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) which may be life-threatening. If you see any of these symptoms, take your child immediately to a doctor and ask for a blood glucose test.
At Kairos Integrative Care Texas, Lola, one of our integrative nurse practitioners, is here to help diagnose diabetes early and guide you in managing it effectively. If you have any concerns or questions about your child’s health, you can call us anytime or schedule a consultation. We can guide you about testing, insurance coverage, and next steps.
We proudly serve patients in Houston, Sugar Land, and nearby areas (77046 & 77478). And accept major insurance plans, including Blue Cross, Aetna, Ambetter, Cigna, and more.
New patients are always welcome, and if visiting the clinic isn’t possible, telemedicine appointments are available across the entire state of Texas.
