Diabetes in Children: Early Warning Signs

Diabetes in children is more common today than ever before. It's a condition that can affect anyone but some people are more susceptible to the disease than others. The only way to know for sure if your child has diabetes is through proper testing by a health care facility. However, there are a few signs to look for that can indicate there is a problem.

Learning these signs will help you to know if your child might have diabetes. Some of the warning signs to look for in infants and toddlers include an extreme case of diaper rash caused by a yeast infection and accompanied by tender, red, puffy skin, dehydration, sluggishness and abdominal pain.

The warning signs for children are different depending on the type of diabetes he or she has. A child with type 1 diabetes may show signs of ketoacidosis and symptoms will usually develop very quickly.

Also look for the following warning signs:

• Excessive urination
• Fatigue and weakness
• Excessive weight loss
• Bruises easily
• Extreme hunger
• Unquenchable thirst
• Regular infections
• Blurry vision

Children with Type 2 diabetes are often overweight with a family history of the disease but this may often be the only symptom you notice. This particular type of diabetes develops more slowly and can be harder to detect. Other symptoms include extreme hunger and dark patches of skin that usually appear between the toes or on the base of the neck.

When you suspect your child may have diabetes, talk to his or her doctor. This is a serious disease that needs to be treated as soon as possible. Knowing the early warning signs for diabetes in children can help you detect this condition in its early stages and get the help your child needs.

Mayo Clinic- Diabetes in Children