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There are many signs of diabetes that parents should be
alert to watch out for, if you are are looking for the most
common sign of diabetes in a child, you may need to re-think
your position. The question is not what is the most common sign
of childhood diabetes but rather what are some of the signs to
watch for, no two children are alike and the symptoms of
one
child might be different to the next child.
Diabetes may show itself differently in children and adults,
and may differ in manifestations
according to type. The signs and symptoms of diabetes may show
at a more rapid pace in infants and children as compared to
adults. In infants and children with type 1diabetes the rate of
beta cell destruction often occurs at a more rapid pace.
Ketoacidosis is the one of the signs of diabetes in children.
Others may manifest modest fasting hyperglycemia or
ketoacidosis especially during infections or stress.
Children with type 2 diabetes are often overweight or obese and
have a history of the disease in the family. They often show
physical signs of insulin resistance like dark patches of skin,
medically known as acanthosis nigricans.
Signs in Children with Type 1 Diabetes
Signs and symptoms of diabetes in a child often develop quickly
over a period of weeks. Children may exhibit:
• Frequent episodes of increased thirst and urination. This is
the result of excess sugar-build up in the bloodstream which
pulls the fluid away from the tissues. Loss of fluid from the
tissues into the blood vessels causes the child to feel
thirsty. Children may want to drink more often and urinate more
often than usual
• The child may also complain of extreme hunger, which is not
relieved by eating. Because the glucose from the food is not
directed to cells but remains in the bloodstream, energy supply
shrinks which triggers hunger.
• Weight loss often occurs rapidly in some children due to the
lack of energy supply to the body, which causes it to draw
energy from its own reserves-the fat and muscle stores.
• The child may easily get tired. Fatigue is caused by the lack
of energy supply to the muscles.
• Blurred vision is another sign which is caused by decreased
fluid and blood flow to the eyes, which will affect the child’s
ability to see clearly.
Babies and young children with the condition often experience a
yeast infection which often leads to a diaper rash. This is
usually the first indication of Type 1 diabetes in younger
children.
Signs and symptoms of Type 2 diabetes in
children
Type 2 diabetes differs from type 1 in that it develops more
gradually. Some children may not show any signs and symptoms at
all. The following are the most common signs and symptoms of
the condition:
• The child is overweight or obese at diagnosis; obesity is the
hallmark sign in type 2 diabetes
• Presence of a family history of type 2 diabetes
• Most children diagnosed with the condition have at least one
parent who also has the disease
• Most children may also have a close relative who has been
diagnosed with type 2 diabetes
• Complaints of extreme and frequent hunger, which is caused by
not enough glucose which is able to enter the cells. No matter
how much food is taken in, the glucose stays in the bloodstream
and is not utilized by the cells. This lack of glucose leads to
depleted energy supply, which triggers hunger
• Acanthosis nigricans, or dark patches of skin are often seen
in children with type 2 diabetes, often in between the toes and
on the back of the neck. The extra insulin in the blood
triggers unusual skin activity, which causes the characteristic
skin changes.
• Urine tests show sugar in the urine
• Girls may often be diagnosed with polycystic ovarian
syndrome
Children with type 2 diabetes symptoms are often at a higher
risk for cardiovascular diseases. It is important to note that
diabetes screening should be done on persons who manifest these
signs and symptoms. Testing should be done for children as
young as ten years old or at the onset of
puberty.
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