Symptoms of Type 1 Diabetes in Toddlers

Last updated on September 27th, 2022

Every parent is familiar with the fact that their toddlers and kids sleep and drink a lot. However, if the child is unexpectedly much dizzier or thirstier as compared to normal, it could indicate type 1 diabetes. It can also be termed juvenile diabetes as a majority of individuals who suffer from it are young children. A child can get type 1 diabetes as an infant, or soon after, as a toddler or a teenager. Frequently, it arises after the age of five years however, individuals don’t get it until their late thirties. If you want to know the signs of type 1 diabetes and can kids get diabetes,  further help your kid live a healthy life.  Read this blog to know about the symptoms of diabetes in toddlers.

Understanding Type 1 Diabetes

It is quite different from “classic” or type 2 diabetes, often associated with being overweight or obese. The condition is seen in adults (but it may happen in kids as well, generally after 10 years of age). If a child suffers from type 1 diabetes, it shows his or her pancreas (an organ present on the upper-right side of the belly) produces slight or no insulin. Type 1 diabetes is a severe autoimmune disorder, meaning it occurs when the defense system of the body attacks as well as destroys the insulin-producing cells.

Insulin is vital for obtaining energy from food. It strikes rapidly and has nothing to do with diet or lifestyle. Unfortunately, diabetes symptoms in toddlers and infants might not always be easy to identify. This is because it’s very tough, mainly in the case of infants and babies, for kids to let their parents recognize that something isn’t correct. Kids living with diabetes should be handled carefully.

What are the Symptoms of Childhood Diabetes?

You might or might not be aware that enhanced thirst and repeated urination are common signs of type one diabetes in children and other young kids. The reason this occurs is increasing blood glucose levels elicit a reaction in the body that draws the fluid from body tissues. Symptoms of type 1 diabetes in toddlers may begin all of a sudden. Keep an eye out for such symptoms in toddlers or children.

How to diagnose diabetes in toddlers? Below are few potential symptoms of pediatric diabetes:

• Extreme hunger and inexplicable weight loss: If the muscles and organs of the child fail to receive adequate energy, it may prompt intense hunger. And unexpected weight loss, particularly if he or she is consuming more, could also be a key warning sign.
• Fatigue: this may indicate that the child’s body is unable to convert the sugar into energy in the bloodstream.
• Vision changes: High blood sugar levels may bring about indistinct vision or other eyesight problems.
• Yeast infection: This kind of infection could be one of the symptoms of diabetes in toddlers; however, it might present itself as a diaper rash resulting from too much yeast.
• Fruity smelling breath or sugar in urine: This is an indication that the kid’s body is trying to expel sugar that it can’t get into its cells.
• Abnormal behavior: If a kid abruptly becomes short-tempered, agitated, or moody it might be a reason of concern, chiefly if this corresponds with other signs of diabetes in babies.
• Other symptoms of diabetes in toddlers: unexpected strange behavior (acting “drunk”), lack of energy, heavy breathing, breath smelling like wine, groaning while breathing, huge appetite, sudden weight loss, sudden vision changes, and peeing more frequently.

If any person notices any of these signs of type 1 diabetes in the toddler, infant, or baby, it’s vital to visit a healthcare provider right away. Before putting second thoughts on the worries, give a reminder that it’s always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to a kid’s health.

Also Read: Normal Blood Sugar Level in Teens

What are the Causes of Type 1 Diabetes in a Child?

• Being obese is closely associated with the development of diabetes. Overweight kids are increasingly inclined towards insulin resistance. As the body resists regulating insulin, high glucose levels result in several potentially serious health issues.
• Genetics also play a key role, for example, the risk of type 1 or 2 diabetes enhances if one parent or both parents suffer from the same condition.

Also Read: Lowering Blood Sugar Level Naturally

How and When is Type One Diabetes Diagnosed?

Physicians can judge whether an individual has diabetes or not, by testing blood samples for sugar levels. High levels indicate that the toddler has diabetes; other blood tests are generally performed to aid physicians discover if the kid has type 1 or type 2 diabetes, as the care and treatment of diabetes may vary depending upon the type.

In case of doubt or confirmation of diabetes, the physician may refer the child to a pediatric endocrinologist. He is a physician who specializes in the diagnosis as well as treatment of kids with diseases of the endocrine system, including diabetes and growth disorders.

Also Read: Fruits For Diabetes

When There is a Medical Emergency?

Type 1 diabetes can result in sudden, intense swings in blood glucose that can turn to be risky. In case any person observes such signs of diabetes in his or her child, it’s significant to carry out a physical examination quite soon, so their physician can initiate treatment without delay.

The physician would carry out an easy urine test to detect glucose (sugar) in the urine as well as a finger stick to evaluate preliminary blood sugar levels. Another more involved test, known as an oral glucose tolerance test, can inform with surety if it’s type 1 diabetes. The kid would require following a special diet prior to this procedure.

If a diagnosis of type 1 diabetes in babies is already done, call the concerned doctor if any person observes any of these signs of a low blood sugar emergency like drowsiness, sweating, fatigue, hazy or double vision, confusion, shallow breathing, extreme hunger, rapid pulse, headache, or pale moist skin. Low blood sugar symptoms may be dangerous for kids with type 1 diabetes. Always get instant medical help if the child ever passes out or has seizures.

What Issues May Crop up With Type 1 Diabetes?

If early signs of diabetes in kids are missed as well as treatment is not yet begun, chemicals named ketones might get accumulated in the blood and bring about nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, breathing difficulties, fruity smell breath, and even unconsciousness. At times, these signs are misguided for the flu or appendicitis. Physicians term this severe condition as diabetic ketoacidosis, or DKA.

Diabetes may also result in some long-term complications in few individuals, like cardiovascular problems, stroke, defective vision, and kidney damage. It may also bring about other issues all over the body in the gums, blood vessels, or nerves. Whereas these issues don’t generally turn up in kids or teens who have had type 1 diabetes for some years, they may have an impact on them in adulthood, chiefly if their diabetes does not remain in control. Though there is good news, with proper treatment, such diabetic signs can be stopped or controlled and the risk of lasting issues can be decreased overall.

Also Read:  What are the normal levels of HbA1C?

How to Help Children With Diabetes?

Parents can give happy and healthy lives to their kids by giving regular encouragement, understanding what they can do regarding diabetes, and ensuring that their kids have a proper diet; they exercise properly and stay on top of blood glucose control daily.

Kids and teens having the problem of diabetes require constant monitoring and need good control of their glucose levels. They require to:

• Track blood glucose levels a few times every day by taking a small blood sample.
• If needed, insulin injections help, or using an insulin pump may help.
• Consuming a balanced, healthy diet and paying special attention to sugar and starch content in the food as well as the timing of their meals.
• Exercising regularly to aid controlled blood sugar levels and help prevent the long-term health issues that accompany diabetes such as heart disease.
• Working closely with their physicians as well as diabetes health care team to get the most advantageous diabetes control.
• Be vigilant about the symptoms of complications and other diabetes-linked health troubles.

Living with this endocrine condition is a challenge for any person, but kids and teens often have unusual problems to handle. Young kids are not capable of understanding why they require blood tests or medications. They may feel frightened, angry, or awkward also at times.

Teens may feel different from their peers and want a more carefree lifestyle than their diabetes allows. Even when they faithfully follow their treatment schedule, they might feel frustrated if the natural body changes of puberty make their diabetes somewhat harder to control. Dealing with a toddler with diabetes may seem irresistible sometimes, but you’re not alone.

The third challenge is to avoid the problem of serious hypoglycemia, which is particularly important given hypoglycemia’s likely impact on the developing brain. Thus, it’s very important to help your child maintain good control over glucose levels as much as possible. Also, it’s important to teach your child the significance of having a healthy diet as well as the importance of participating in regular physical activity.

Also Read: Reverse Diabetes Easily with These Simple Steps

FAQs:

References:

1. https://www.jdrf.org/t1d-resources/about/symptoms/children/infants-toddlers/
2. https://kidshealth.org/en/parents/type1.html
3. https://www.healthline.com/health/type-2-diabetes-children#complications
4. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2828228/

Last Updated on September 27, 2022 by Dr. Damanjit Duggal