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The rate of diabetes in children is on the rise, but early detection can greatly impact their health improvement. According to the National Diabetes Statistics Report 2020, more than 210,000 children were diagnosed with diabetes in the U.S.
While Type 1 diabetes is much more common in children than type 2 diabetes, both rates are increasing. As part of our How to Spot Series, we’ll be discussing signs and symptoms of diabetes in children, risks of diabetes in children, and how to prevent diabetes in children.
What is Type 1 diabetes in children?
Type 1 diabetes is a genetic disorder that usually surfaces in the early years and prevents the body from making the hormone insulin, and as a result, cannot use glucose for energy. That means that the glucose stays in the blood and raises blood sugar levels.
Symptoms and signs of Type 1 diabetes in children:
via: THL – Type 1 diabetes in children
In many cases, Type 1 diabetes in children doesn’t show and can only be discovered through blood or urine tests. However, the most common type 1 diabetes symptoms in children are:
- Peeing more than usual
- Wetting the bed at night even after they’ve been potty trained
- Drink more water and feel a lot thirsty
- Fatigue
- Weight loss
Who is at risk of developing type 1 diabetes?
- Family history. People with direct family members suffering from type 1 diabetes are at an increased risk of developing the disease.
- Genetics. There are certain genes that increase a child’s risk of developing type 1 diabetes.
- Viruses. When a child is exposed to certain viruses, they could be at a higher risk of developing type 1 diabetes as a result of autoimmune destruction of certain cells.
What is Type 2 diabetes in children?
Via: Telethon’s kids institue – risks of diabetes in children
Type 2 diabetes is when the body shows signs of insulin resistance and cannot process glucose, allowing the blood sugar levels to increase. Type 2 diabetes usually occurs as a result of food and lifestyle issues and is a lot less common in children.
Symptoms and signs of Type 2 diabetes in children:
While many of the symptoms of type 2 diabetes are similar to type 1 diabetes in children, there are a few more symptoms that can be warning sign:
- Needing to urinate more frequently, especially at night
- Feeling thirsty
- Fatigue
- Weight loss
- Itching around the genitals
- Slow healing of wounds
- Blurred vision
- Dark patches on the skin
Who is at risk of developing type 2 diabetes?
The cause of type 2 diabetes in children is still undefined. However, there are a few factors that could increase a child’s risks of developing the condition:
- Being overweight. When a child has increased fatty tissues, especially around the belly, the body becomes more resistant to insulin and can lead to type 2 diabetes.
- Inactivity. When a child is inactive, they risk gaining weight and increasing the risk of the body being unresponsive to insulin.
- Family history and genetics. If a child has a family member who has type 2 diabetes or they have the gene, they are at risk of developing the condition.
- Birth weight. When a child is born at low birth weight, they are more prone to developing type 2 diabetes.
- Premature births.
Prevention of type 2 diabetes in children:
Via: BBC
Unfortunately, because type 1 diabetes is a genetic condition, it is not possible to prevent it. As for type 2 diabetes, it can be prevented based on a change of lifestyle by doing the following:
- Limit foods and drinks high in sugar. Because foods that are high in sugar can lead to weight gain as well as unresponsiveness to insulin. Type 2 diabetes can be prevented in children by eating a balanced, healthy diet.
- Physical activity. Staying active reduces insulin resistance and helps maintain a healthy weight.
- Prevent excessive weight gain. When a child maintains a moderate weight, the risk of developing insulin resistance is reduced.
Further reading:
- How to Spot Series: Food Allergies
- How to Spot Series: Puberty in Girls and Boys
- How to Spot Series: ADHD vs Normal Behavior in Children
Sources used in this article:
- How does diabetes affect children and teenagers? – Medical News Today
- Diabetes in Children – HealthyChildren.org
- Type 2 diabetes in children – Mayo Clinic
- Type 2 diabetes in children – Mayo Clinic
- What is type 2 diabetes? – kids Health
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