Type 2 diabetes used to be known as “adult-onset” diabetes, but rising obesity levels among children has led to increased occurrences of children being diagnosed with it.
Although 95 percent of all diabetes diagnoses are of the type 2 variety, diabetes can still afflict healthy children of normal body weight. Type 1 diabetics are different from those with type 2 diabetes because their bodies produce no insulin at all, which facilitates the metabolism of glucose. When a child begins to show signs of type 1 diabetes, it can be dangerous – or even fatal – if it’s not treated in time.
A child with type 1 diabetes will usually exhibit these symptoms:
- Increased thirst (from dehydration caused by the body attempting to eject excess glucose from the system);
- Increased hunger (caused by lack of energy);
- Weight loss (caused by the body metabolizing muscle and fat for energy, as well as dehydration).
If your child exhibits these symptoms, it’s important to get them medical attention immediately, as a child experiencing the onset of type 1 diabetes is at risk of diabetic ketoacidosis.
“This is something that, within a matter of hours, can cause death, if we’re not careful,” said Dr. John LaCount, a pediatrician with St. Elizabeth Physicians. “It’s very serious.”
Diabetic ketoacidosis is a condition in which acids called ketones build up in the child’s bloodstream. When that happens, it can cause other symptoms to develop, like stomach pain, difficulty breathing, nausea, fruit-scented breath, confusion, and loss of consciousness. Left untreated, it can be fatal.
“In general, if the kids are still alert and responding, it’s not inappropriate to have them seen in the emergency room or in the office, if the doctor’s office is open,” LaCount said.
Children going through the onset of type 1 diabetes must be stabilized with insulin. Treatment will also likely involve administering fluids and normalizing electrolyte levels.
In the long-term, type 1 diabetes is incurable. Once a child with type 1 diabetes stabilizes, education about necessary lifestyle and dietary changes will be necessary.
“With management, there’s no real limitation on what you can or cannot do,” LaCount said. “This is something that you’re going to have for the rest of your life, though.”
Type 1 diabetes increases the risk of other diseases, such as kidney disease and heart disease, in the long-term, so it is important to manage the disease carefully throughout your child’s lifetime.
