Could it be diabetes? 

You know your child better than anyone. When something doesn’t seem right, you’re often the first to notice. But the signs of diabetes in kids aren’t always obvious. They can be easy to dismiss as a growth spurt, a busy week or another everyday change.

Knowing the signs of Type 1 diabetes in kids can help you recognize potential concerns early and get your child the care they need.

What is Type 1 diabetes?

Type 1 diabetes was once called juvenile diabetes or insulin-dependent diabetes. Insulin is a hormone that helps glucose (sugar) move from the bloodstream into the body’s cells, where it’s used for energy.

“With Type 1 diabetes,  your pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin to move glucose from the bloodstream to your body’s cells. As a result, excess glucose builds up in the bloodstream instead of reaching the cells that need it for energy,” explains Catherine Pourdavoud, M.D., a pediatrician with Sutter. “With Type 2 diabetes, your pancreas is still making insulin, but your body’s cells become resistant to its effects. This means the pancreas has to work harder and produce more insulin to move the same amount of glucose into the cells.”

Type 1 diabetes is considered an autoimmune disease because the body’s immune system destroys the cells in the pancreas that make insulin. 

What causes Type 1 diabetes?

Researchers don’t know the exact cause of Type 1 diabetes, but genetics appear to play a role. Children whose parents have Type 1 diabetes are more likely to develop the condition. Exposure to certain viruses or environmental triggers may also cause the immune system to mistakenly attack the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas.

Type 1 diabetes is very different from Type 2 diabetes, which is influenced by factors such as weight, diet and physical activity.

“There’s a common perception that you are eating lots of sugar or you have to be overweight to have diabetes,” Pourdavoud says. “But that’s not the case with Type 1 diabetes. While a child with Type 1 can be overweight, we commonly see thin, healthy, athletic kids who have Type 1 diabetes.” 

What are the signs of diabetes in kids?

“There are a few main signs of diabetes in kids,” Pourdavoud says. “First, you’ll typically see the child needing to urinate much more than their normal frequency. That could also mean they’re wetting the bed when they’ve never wet the bed before. Second, there’s increased or excessive thirst, so they’re drinking a lot of water. And third, there may be  weight loss.”

Other diabetes in kids symptoms may include:

• Extreme hunger
• Feeling tired
• Blurry vision
• Cuts and sores that heal slowly
• Vaginal yeast infections (especially those that don’t resolve with typical topical treatments) 

When to call your provider

If you’re noticing the main signs of diabetes in kids — frequent urination, excessive thirst and unexplained weight loss — contact your child’s healthcare provider right away.

“Parents know their kids the best,” Pourdavoud says. “If they have a sense that something is off, they should call their provider’s office. Especially if symptoms are going on for more than a few days and the child looks unwell, they need to be seen as soon as possible.”  

Type 1 diabetes can develop quickly. In some cases, children may develop diabetic ketoacidosis  (DKA), a serious complication that requires emergency medical care.

Signs of DKA may include:

• Extreme fatigue or lethargy
• Pale appearance
• Heavy or labored breathing
• Fruity-smelling breath
• Difficulty staying awake
• Confusion or unusual drowsiness

If your child is experiencing these symptoms, seek emergency medical care immediately.

How is Type 1 diabetes treated?

Managing Type 1 diabetes focuses on keeping blood sugar levels within a healthy range. Because the body can’t make insulin, people with Type 1 diabetes need insulin therapy and ongoing blood sugar monitoring.

Several types of insulin are available, including short-, rapid-, long- and ultra-long-acting insulin. Many people use a combination of insulin types to help manage blood sugar throughout the day. Insulin may be given by injection or delivered continuously through an insulin pump.

Although Type 1 diabetes does not currently have a cure, it can be managed successfully. With support from their healthcare team, kids with Type 1 diabetes can go to school, play sports and enjoy all the experiences that make childhood special.