According to 2021 estimates, more than 1.2 million children and adolescents (under 20 years of age) have type 1 diabetes globally.

Early detection of diabetes in children is necessary to prevent serious complications (heart, kidney, eyes, nerves) and allows immediate control of the disease through modification of diet and exercise to develop healthy habits early.

How do you know that your child has diabetes?

What is diabetes in children?

Diabetes in children is a chronic condition in which blood sugar levels are abnormally high, either because the body does not produce enough insulin (Type 1, which is the most common) or does not use it properly (Type 2), which leads to health problems, and requires continuous management to keep sugar levels within the normal range via insulin (injections or pump) and a healthy diet.

If diabetes is not treated, it can lead to damage to the blood vessels, nerves, eyes, kidneys, and heart over a period that may last for years, leading to deterioration of the body. It negatively affects the child’s quality of life and may put his life at risk.

What are the 4 most prominent symptoms of childhood diabetes?

The most prominent symptoms of diabetes in children include extreme thirst, frequent urination (especially involuntary urination at night), excessive hunger, and unexplained weight loss.
Other symptoms may also appear that confirm the presence of the disease, such as blurred vision, fruity breath, nausea and vomiting, and abdominal pain.

The 4 most prominent symptoms that indicate the possibility of high blood sugar in children (either type 1 or 2):

1. Extreme thirst (Polydipsia)

Thirst in children is normal during hot weather, after physical exertion, or after salty food. But it may become a serious sign when:

• Lasts all day regardless of activity.
• Accompanied by dry mouth all the time.
• The child drinks unusual amounts for no apparent reason.
• Then thirst may be an indicator of high blood sugar, and the reason for this is that when it rises
• Blood sugar becomes more concentrated, and the brain sends strong signals to increase drinking.

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2. Frequent urination (Polyuria)

When sugar rises significantly in the blood, it begins to come out with the urine, drawing water with it, so the amount of urine increases significantly. When urinating frequently, the body loses large amounts of water, which leads to a feeling of constant thirst and general fatigue in the body, and may lead to dehydration in the body.

But not every increase in urination means high blood sugar. It may be due to:

• Drink plenty of water
• Diuretic drinks such as tea and juice
• Eat salty foods.
• Urine infection (often with pain or burning).

When is frequent urination an indicator of high blood sugar?

• Urinating every hour or two during the day.
• Frequent waking up at night after the child was not awake.
• Bed wetting returns after a long break.
• Unusually full diapers in infants.
• With diabetes, urination occurs in large quantities + is accompanied by extreme thirst

3. Sudden and unexplained weight loss

Losing weight without trying to lose it or going on a diet, as well as overeating, are among the four prominent symptoms in a diabetic child.

Why does weight loss occur in a diabetic child?

Because sugar does not enter the cells, the body resorts to alternative energy sources such as fats and then proteins. It mainly burns fats to obtain energy, which leads to weight loss. The body may later begin to break down proteins to obtain energy, which leads to weakness of the body’s muscles.
But it is important to note that weight loss alone is not a sufficient indicator of high blood sugar.

When should you see a doctor?

• If the child loses weight despite eating well.
• If the behavior is accompanied by loss of appetite and vomiting.
• If it is accompanied by the rest of the basic symptoms of diabetes, such as fatigue, thirst, and frequent urination at night.

4. Fatigue and exhaustion

Fatigue occurs in a child with diabetes because the cells do not get sugar even though it is high in the blood, so the child feels “exhausted” even if he sleeps well.
Over time, the body tries to compensate and obtain energy by burning fat, which causes additional fatigue.
Burning fat in large quantities, as happens in a diabetic patient, also leads to the production of ketones, which is a natural process in the body, but it may be dangerous in diabetes because it leads to the accumulation of ketones and high blood acidity, which may cause diabetic coma.
It is necessary to observe and monitor children's activity, but it is also normal for them to feel tired during periods such as illness After a long school day, but in cases where:

• When repeated daily for a long period.
• When it affects normal activity (play, school).
• When other symptoms appear, such as thirst or frequent urination.

Then you must see a doctor to find out the cause of fatigue and other symptoms, as he will conduct a comprehensive examination of diseases such as anemia and blood tests and diabetes as well.

Other symptoms accompany the basic symptoms

Irritability, mood changes, and poor concentration

It appears because the brain does not get enough glucose, so the child becomes more nervous and finds it difficult to concentrate.

Constant hunger despite eating

Despite eating, energy does not reach the cells, so the child continues to feel hungry and sometimes loses weight.

Dry mouth, skin and chapped lips

Loss of fluids through urine causes persistent dehydration, even with drinking water, and appears on the skin and lips.

Blurred vision and blurred vision

High blood sugar pulls fluid from the lens of the eye, resulting in temporary or intermittent blurry vision.

Recurrent infections

Weak immunity due to high sugar increases skin, urinary tract and fungal infections.

Slow healing of wounds and recurrence of boils

Delayed delivery of energy to the cells makes wound healing slower and infections and boils appear easily.

Ketogenic breath

It resembles a fruit and indicates the burning of fat due to a lack of energy in the cells, a possible indicator of ketoacidosis.

Nausea, vomiting, and abdominal pain

These symptoms appear as a result of the accumulation of ketones and a disturbance in the acid balance in the body.

Rapid or deep breathing

It appears with the accumulation of ketones as a way for the body to get rid of them through the lungs, and indicates serious complications.

Recurrent diaper thrush

High blood sugar creates an environment for fungi to grow rapidly, and they appear frequently in infants and young girls.

Read also: Can diabetes be detected without a test?

Serious symptoms that may appear first: diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA)

Medical reports indicate that about a third of children, especially under the age of five, are first diagnosed during diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), an emergency condition that occurs when blood sugar rises to very high levels, often when early symptoms are not noticed.

Important information to know about the symptoms of diabetes in children

1. Symptoms may appear suddenly or develop gradually

Not every child experiences the same pattern. Some cases of childhood diabetes show symptoms and develop within a few days, while in others they appear within weeks or even months.

2. Symptoms may be difficult to notice in the early stages

Classic symptoms, such as frequent urination or increased thirst, may be mild or intermittent at first, and parents may not associate them with each other.

3. Diabetes can appear at any age

A child can be diagnosed from infancy until late adolescence.

4. Some children are discovered to have diabetes by accident

In a significant proportion of cases, the disease appears during a regular visit to the doctor, a routine examination, or during an examination for a simple infection.

5. Infection may reveal the disease suddenly

Infections — whether in the throat or Digestive system Or urinary - increases the need for insulin within the body.

6. Symptoms alone are not enough for diagnosis

Even if classic symptoms appear, The doctor needs:

• Random blood sugar analysis.
• Fasting blood sugar analysis.
• Glycated hemoglobin (A1C) examination according to age.

Read also: Healthy eating schedule for diabetics

Towards a better life for diabetic children: early detection and continuous follow-up save their lives

progress Al Moosa Health Group Comprehensive services for early detection and management of diabetes in children, with personal follow-up programs and nutritional and therapeutic consultations that help your child maintain his health and live safely and actively.

The most common questions about the symptoms of diabetes in children

What are the symptoms of diabetes in children aged 2 to 9 years?

Symptoms of diabetes in children are similar at all ages, from 2 years through adolescence, and include extreme thirst, frequent urination, unexplained weight loss, constant fatigue, excessive hunger, and blurred vision.

Does diabetes disappear in children?

No, type 1 diabetes in children is a chronic condition that does not go away.

Is abdominal pain a symptom of diabetes in children?

Yes, abdominal pain may appear, especially when blood sugar is high or in cases of ketoacidosis, and it must be monitored with other symptoms such as vomiting and nausea.