children s health issues
Diabetes Mellitus (DM) in Children and Adolescents
Symptoms of Diabetes in Children and Adolescents
High blood glucose levels cause a variety of immediate symptoms and long-term complications. Symptoms develop quickly in type 1 diabetes, usually over several days to weeks, and tend to appear in a typical pattern. High blood glucose levels cause the child to urinate excessively. Children may wet the bed or become unable to control their bladder during the day. Children who are not toilet-trained may have an increase in wet or heavy diapers. This fluid loss causes an increase in thirst and the consumption of fluids. About half of children lose weight and have impaired growth. Some children become dehydrated, resulting in weakness, fatigue, and a rapid pulse. Children may also have nausea and vomiting due to ketones (by-products of the breakdown of fat) in their blood. Vision may become blurred. If the symptoms are not recognized as being caused by diabetes and treated, children may develop Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) . Many children do not have any symptoms or have only mild symptoms, and doctors diagnose type 2 diabetes only when blood or urine tests are done for other reasons (such as during a physical before playing sports or going to camp). Symptoms in children with type 2 diabetes are milder than those in type 1 diabetes and develop more slowly. Parents may notice an increase in the child’s thirst and urination or only vague symptoms, such as fatigue. Children with type 2 diabetes are less likely to develop ketoacidosis or severe dehydration than those with type 1 diabetes. 