Diabetes in Children: Early Signs Parents Should Not Ignore
Type 1 diabetes is the most common type of diabetes in children, but in recent years, cases of type 2 diabetes have also increased in children and adolescents due to obesity and a sedentary lifestyle. Early recognition of symptoms plays an important role in preventing dangerous complications and better managing the disease.
Warning signs of diabetes in children:
1. Intense and persistent thirst (polydipsia)
If your child drinks unusually much water or constantly complains of thirst, this could be a sign of high blood sugar levels.
2. Frequent urination (polyuria)
A child who is urinating more often than usual, especially during the night, may have this problem as the body tries to eliminate excess sugar through urine.
3. Sudden weight loss
Although the child may have a good appetite, unexplained weight loss can be a sign of type 1 diabetes. Instead of using glucose, the child’s body uses fat and muscle for energy.
4. Fatigue and lethargy
A child who gets tired easily, has no energy, and is sleepy most of the time may have a disorder of glucose metabolism.
5. Blurred vision
High blood sugar can cause swelling of the lens of the eye and blurred vision; although children cannot always express this correctly.
6. Frequent infections
Repeated skin, urinary tract, or fungal infections may be hidden symptoms of diabetes.
7. Unusual breath or fruity odor from the mouth
In severe cases, the child may develop diabetic ketoacidosis. In this case, breathing may become deep and rapid, and the child’s breath may smell fruity or acetone-like.
Why is early diagnosis important?
If diabetes is not diagnosed in its early stages, it can lead to dangerous conditions such as diabetic ketoacidosis, which requires immediate hospitalization. Timely treatment and proper education of the child and family can significantly improve the child’s quality of life.
Advice for parents:
If you notice any of these symptoms in your child, be sure to consult a doctor.
A fasting blood sugar test or HbA1c test can help in diagnosis.
Encourage a healthy lifestyle, proper nutrition, and regular physical activity for your child.
Managing Diabetes in Children: The Role of Parents
Parents play a key role in identifying, monitoring, and managing a child’s diabetes. After diagnosis, it is important that the family works closely with the treatment team so that the child can live a healthy and active life.
Initial measures after diagnosis:
Educating the family and child
Learning about the basic concepts of diabetes, using a blood glucose meter, injecting insulin (in type 1), recognizing the symptoms of low or high blood sugar, and how to react in emergency situations is very important.
Setting a meal plan
A balanced and age-appropriate diet for the child should be set with the help of a nutritionist. Consuming complex carbohydrates, controlling simple sugars, and regularly scheduling meals are of great importance.
Monitoring blood sugar levels
Regular blood sugar control (with a glucometer or continuous sensors) is essential to prevent severe drops or spikes in sugar.
Regular physical activity
Exercise can increase the body’s sensitivity to insulin and improve blood sugar control, but it should be done with the advice of a doctor and with careful blood sugar control.
Psychological and emotional support
A child who develops diabetes may feel rejected, anxious, or different from his or her peers. Talking to him or her, giving him or her a sense of strength and independence, and, if necessary, consulting a psychologist, is very helpful.
Differences between type 1 and type 2 diabetes in children:
| Feature | Type 1 diabetes | Type 2 diabetes |
|---|---|---|
| Cause | Autoimmunity; destruction of insulin-producing cells | Insulin resistance, often due to obesity and inactivity |
| Age of onset | Usually in childhood or adolescence | Usually during puberty or adolescence |
| Onset of symptoms | Sudden | Gradual |
| Main treatment | Insulin | Nutrition, exercise, oral medications, and sometimes insulin |
| Body mass index (BMI) | Usually normal or low | Usually tall or fat |
Bottom line:
Although diabetes is a chronic disease, with proper education, ongoing care, and family support, a child can live a happy, healthy, and successful life like other children of his or her peers.
How to prevent type 2 diabetes in children?
While type 1 diabetes cannot be prevented, type 2 diabetes can be prevented in many cases by making lifestyle changes in the child.
Effective prevention strategies:
Eating healthy from an early age
Avoiding sugary foods, sodas, and fast foods
Eating more fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and healthy protein sources such as chicken, fish, and legumes
Teaching children good eating habits through parental role models
Daily physical activity
At least 60 minutes of play or exercise per day is recommended for children
Reducing the time spent on television, tablets, and phones (screen time)
Weight control
Regular monitoring of the child’s growth by a doctor
Encouraging an active lifestyle, without directly focusing on “dieting” that may make the child feel bad
Getting enough sleep
Insufficient or irregular sleep can affect blood sugar metabolism and appetite
Mental health of the child with diabetes
One of the most important parts of managing diabetes in children is maintaining their mental health.
Common psychological challenges:
Feeling “different” from other children
Anxiety about needles and injections
Worries about controlling blood sugar at school or at parties
Fear of complications
Solutions:
Educate the child in simple language about their condition and that it is “not their fault”
Encourage gradual independence in managing their condition (e.g., measuring blood sugar)
Connect with other children with diabetes to build empathy
Use a child psychologist or counselor if needed
The role of the school and teachers
Teachers and school staff should be aware of the child’s condition so that they can help them when needed.
Things schools should know:
How to recognize hypoglycemia (shaking, lethargy, confusion, cold sweat)
How to respond quickly: Give juice or a sugary snack
Allow your child easy access to water, a toilet, snacks, and a blood glucose meter
Avoid blaming or labeling your child for their condition
Bottom line:
Diabetes in children is a serious but manageable challenge. If parents, child, doctor, teachers, and those around them work well together, your child can:
Continue with school and social activities
Live an independent and productive life
Prevent future complications of diabetes
Daily life of a child with diabetes: how to create balance?
One of the biggest concerns for parents after a child is diagnosed with diabetes is how to provide a normal and happy life for their child while requiring constant care.
Key points for maintaining balance:
Careful daily planning
Establishing a regular routine for meals, blood sugar measurements, insulin injections and physical activity keeps the child in a more stable state physically and mentally.
Gradual self-management training
With the support of parents, the child should learn how to measure his blood sugar, recognize the difference between low and high blood sugar and react if necessary. Of course, this training should be appropriate to the child’s age and understanding.
Flexibility to special circumstances
During travel, birthday parties, school camps or holidays, plans may change. Parents should anticipate and plan in advance so that the child does not experience impaired blood sugar control.
The role of family and extended family
A child should not feel that only his parents are involved in his illness. If grandparents, siblings, or even close friends also understand the disease and how to help, the child will feel more secure.
Suggested actions:
Hold family meetings to learn the basics of diabetes
Invite other family members to attend educational sessions with the doctor
Avoid blaming or feeling too sorry for the child
New technologies for pediatric diabetes
Technological advances have provided families with practical and useful tools to help control diabetes:
Useful tools:
Continuous glucose monitors (CGMs)
These devices constantly measure blood sugar levels and warn if they drop or rise too much. This reduces the need for frequent fingerstick tests.
Insulin pump
A small device that delivers insulin to the body in a regular and adjustable manner. A pump can help control blood sugar more accurately and give your child more flexibility in meal planning.
Diabetes apps
Many apps allow you to track blood sugar, meals, activities, and injections, and even send alerts to parents or doctors.
Your child’s future: Can they live like everyone else?
The answer is yes. Diabetes shouldn’t stop a child from achieving their dreams. Children with diabetes can:
Go to school and study
Play sports and participate in sports teams
Go to college, choose a career they love, and start a family
What’s important is understanding, ongoing education, smart care, and ongoing emotional support.
Emergency symptoms that require immediate action
In some cases, diabetes in children can lead to conditions that require immediate medical intervention. Parents should recognize these symptoms and act without delay.
Symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA):
Persistent nausea and vomiting
Abdominal pain
A fruity or acetone odor from the breath
Rapid and deep breathing
Extreme drowsiness or confusion
Decreased level of consciousness
If you see any of these symptoms, go to the emergency room immediately. Diabetic ketoacidosis is a life-threatening condition.
Diabetes in special situations (travel, school, parties)
Living with diabetes should not prevent a child from attending social situations. It just requires more preparation and planning.
When traveling:
Bring a special diabetes bag (insulin, blood sugar monitor, fast-acting sugars, medical ID card)
Keep insulin at the right temperature (in a refrigerator or special bag)
Adjust your meal and insulin schedule according to changes in time or location
At school:
Coordinate with the teacher, physical education instructor, and health officer
Teach teachers the signs of low or high blood sugar
Prepare a medical note for using food or medicine in class
At parties:
Use foods wisely (for example, a small amount of sweets with meals)
Bring appropriate and controlled food with you
Teach your child to recognize his or her body’s symptoms and report them to parents
The latest methods of controlling diabetes in children
In recent years, technology has come to the aid of diabetic children to make managing the disease easier and more effective.
New technologies:
Continuous glucose monitoring (CGM)
No need to constantly prick your finger
Real-time display of sugar levels and alerts in case of a drop or a sharp increase
Ability to connect to a parent’s phone for remote monitoring
Insulin pump
A device that injects insulin automatically and according to a schedule
Suitable for children who need frequent insulin
Some models also have the ability to connect to CGM
New insulins with longer and more consistent action
Fewer injections
Better blood sugar control
What is the future of children with diabetes?
With proper care, ongoing education and family support, a child with diabetes can:
Be successful in school and education
Enjoy sports, art, travel and entertainment
Live an independent, happy and healthy life as an adult
Diabetes, with all its complexities, is not the end of the world. Rather, it is the beginning of a new journey that, with the conscious support of parents, can be full of success and hope.