Diabetes is often thought of as an adult disease, as it can be caused by diet and lifestyle choices (eating habits and alcohol consumption). However, a 3-year old in the U.S. was recently diagnosed as one of the youngest ever to be diagnosed with type 2 diabetes, while children can be struck early with the inability to produce the hormone that helps process sugars (glucose) (type 1 diabetes).
Diabetes in children can be fatal if you’re not aware of the symptoms and appropriate treatment is not provided. It’s important to know the symptoms of diabetes in children so you can act quickly.
Want diabetes content delivered straight to your inbox? Sign up for our Diabetes newsletter and receive exclusive news and articles written from our team of diabetes experts.
1. Frequent Urination
It can be hard to tell if your toddler is urinating more than often. But if you notice your youngster wetting their shorts (or bed) more often or complaining about needing to use the bathroom more frequently, it could be a cause for concern.
KidsHealth.org notes that more frequent urination is caused by the response of your child’s kidneys to higher levels of sugars (glucose) that aren’t being broken down to be used by their body. The kidneys are attempting to flush out the excess unprocessed sugars through the urine.