A 2017 report by the National Institutes of Health shows that 208,000 kids under the age of 20 years had received a diagnosis of diabetes (both type 1 and type 2) in the U.S.

Each year, the prevalence of type 1 diabetes increases by 4.8% and type 1 diabetes by 1.8%. From 2011 to 2012, 5,300 people aged 10 to 19 years were diagnosed with diabetes and 17,900 children under 20 years received a diagnosis of type 1 diabetes.

Children who develop diabetes have a greater risk of developing other health challenges later in life. Therefore, being able to identify the signs and symptoms of childhood diabetes syndrome helps children get early diagnosis, which gives them a chance of better outcome.

How does Diabetes affect Children?

Childhood diabetes syndrome affects the body’s ability to produce or use insulin. Despite being different diseases, both type 1 and type 2 diabetes affect the body’s ability to produce or use insulin. Rates of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes are on the rise.

Juvenile diabetes, also known as type 1 diabetes in children, is caused by the pancreas’ inability to produce insulin. As a result, cells are unable to absorb glucose from the blood, and this can result in high blood sugar levels.

Treatment:

• Lifelong blood glucose monitoring and insulin use
• Exercise and diet management to stabilize blood sugar levels

Although type 1 diabetes typically appears during childhood, it can occur at any time. On the other hand, type 2 diabetes is typically less common among kids, but it can occur when the body does not produce enough insulin or when insulin does not work properly. As a result, glucose can gradually accumulate in the child’s bloodstream.

How Can you Manage Childhood Diabetes Syndrome?

• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Changes in diet (adopt a healthy diet specifically tailored for the individual)
• More exercise
• Sometimes the child will need medication

The chance of developing type 2 diabetes usually increases as we get older, but kids and adolescents can also get it.

What are Symptoms of Childhood Diabetes Syndrome?

Type 1 Diabetes

The most common signs and symptoms of type 1 diabetes among kids (children and adolescents) include:

• Hunger
• Increased urination and thirst
• Blurred vision
• Fruity smell on the breath
• Irritability
• Weight loss
• Girls may develop yeast infection.

Type 2 Diabetes

• Frequent urination, especially at night
• Tiredness
• Increased thirst
• Slow healing of wounds and cuts
• Itching around the genitals (might be caused by yeast infection)
• Blurred vision
• Unexplained weight loss

Other signs and symptoms of insulin resistance may include:

• PCOS (polycystic ovarian syndrome)
• Dark patches of skin (acanthosis nigricans)

Type 1 diabetes symptoms in children usually develop very fast over a few weeks. Symptoms of type 2 diabetes may develop more slowly and getting a diagnosis can take months or years. Therefore, it’s important to take your child to your healthcare provider if you notice any of the above signs and symptoms.

Warning Signs of Childhood Diabetes Syndrome.

A 2012 study by Diabetes U.K. shows that only 9% of parents were able to recognize the 4 main type 1 diabetes symptoms in children. This figure increased to 14% by 2013. The inability to identify symptoms of childhood diabetes is one of the main reasons why many children only receive a diagnosis when their symptoms are severe, or even fatal.

Don’t miss the symptoms

Although children with diabetes typically experience 4 main symptoms, many children and adolescents will only have one or two symptoms. In some cases, children will show no symptoms. Moreover, if your child suddenly becomes more tired or thirsty, or urinates more frequently, you may not consider childhood diabetes syndrome a possibility. Since diabetes is typically less common among kids, some doctors may also attribute these symptoms to other illnesses. Therefore, it’s very important for parents and doctors alike to be aware of the possible symptoms of diabetes in children in order to get a diagnosis as soon as possible.

Complications of Childhood Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes

• DKA (Diabetic Ketoacidosis)

This is one of the most serious complications of undiagnosed or untreated type 1 diabetes. Encouraging your child to make healthful choices reduces the risk of type 2 diabetes and obesity. Diabetic ketoacidosis is the leading cause of death in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes.

If the body is unable to use glucose for energy due to low levels of insulin, the body starts breaking down fat for energy.  This can lead to the production of ketones, which are toxic at elevated levels. A high level of ketones causes the body to become acidic leading to DKA.

A research in 2008 found that diabetic ketoacidosis was more common among children and teenagers with an incorrect and hence delayed type 1 diabetes diagnosis. In rare cases, undiagnosed or untreated type 2 diabetes can also cause DKA.

Type 2 diabetes

Younger people with type 2 diabetes have a greater chance of complication such as:

• Kidney and eye disease
• High cholesterol levels and high blood pressure
• Blood vessel disease

Type 2 diabetes in kids almost always occurs with obesity, which has been linked to these higher risks. Therefore, early diagnosis and treatment of type 2 diabetes is very crucial.

More information on FAQ on diabetes HERE!