Symptoms of diabetes in children include drinking a lot of water, urinating several times a day, becoming tired quickly or being very hungry, as well as changes in behavior, such as irritability.
These symptoms may vary according to the type of diabetes the child has, which may 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.
Read too: Symptoms of type 1 and type 2 diabetes and how to confirm
If a child presents symptoms of diabetes, they should be taken to see a pediatrician to assess symptoms, carry out tests, confirm the diagnosis and begin appropriate treatment, which can be done with diet, exercise or the use of medicines.
12 symptoms of diabetes in children
Symptoms of diabetes in children vary according to 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 lasting weeks or months;
- Very hungry;
- Excessive tiredness;
- Irritability.
Furthermore, type 1 diabetes, when not diagnosed or not treated correctly, can cause diabetic ketoacidosis, with symptoms such as breath that smells like rotten apples, vomiting, abdominal pain, dehydration or shallow and rapid breathing.
This is the most common type of diabetes in children and can develop suddenly, with intense symptoms, however, many cases develop slowly and silently.
Read too: Childhood diabetes: what it is, symptoms, causes and what to do
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;
- Tiredness;
- Frequent infections;
- Blurred or blurred vision.
Furthermore, it is possible for the child to experience mild, unexplained weight loss and dark coloring in areas of folds, such as the armpits and neck, known as acanthosis nigricans. Check out other symptoms of type 2 diabetes and take our online symptom test.
However, in many cases, this type of diabetes may not cause any symptoms, developing silently.
Read too: 4 main types of diabetes
How to confirm if it is diabetes
To diagnose whether the child has diabetes, the pediatrician will request blood glucose tests, which may include fasting glucose and/or a glucose tolerance test.
Make an appointment with a pediatrician in the nearest region:
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This way, it is possible to identify the type of diabetes, and start the ideal treatment for each child. Understand better how tests to confirm diabetes are carried out.
How the treatment is carried out
The treatment of diabetes in children must be carried out under the guidance of a pediatrician or endocrinologist and varies according to the type of diabetes.
Therefore, the doctor may recommend changes in diet, physical exercise or the use of insulin or oral antidiabetics. See how type 1 and type 2 diabetes is treated.
In all cases, blood glucose control is essential and must be done daily, as advised by your pediatrician or endocrinologist.
Read too: 10 tips for caring for a child with diabetes
