It is important to know the signs of diabetes in children in the early stages for proper management and to maintain a quality of life.
Diabetes causes the body to not produce insulin or not use it properly, resulting in too much glucose, or sugar, in the blood. According to experts, a diabetes diagnosis in children with type 1 can be extremely overwhelming, especially at first. Suddenly, you and your child, depending on their age, must learn how to give injections, count carbohydrates and monitor blood sugar.
There is no cure for type 1 diabetes in childrenHowever, it can be controlled. Therefore, it is necessary to know the signs of the onset of the disease in the early stages in order to provide adequate treatment and maintain a good quality of life.
“As an endocrinologist, I often see parents who are shocked when their child is diagnosed with diabetes,” Dr Sonali Kagne, Consultant Endocrinologist, Sir HN Reliance Hospital, told Times Now. “The symptoms of type 1 diabetes tend to appear within days or weeks and urgent medical help should be sought if any of these symptoms are noticed. But children can also develop type 2 diabetes or another type of diabetes,” she added.
Unusual symptoms that may indicate diabetes in children
The early symptoms of diabetes are not the same for everyone. While some people develop telltale signs of the disease, others experience rare symptoms. Below are some unusual symptoms that may indicate diabetes in children, according to Dr. Kagne.
Dark spots on the skin
“It’s important to watch for dark patches on the skin, especially around the neck or armpits, known as acanthosis nigricans,” Dr. Kagne said. The dark patches may be widespread or only noticeable in skin folds, and may make the skin feel velvety or thicker. The condition also sometimes occurs in the groin and armpits.
Experts say this happens when high levels of insulin in the bloodstream cause skin cells to reproduce faster than normal.
Repeated infections
Diabetes weakens the immune system, making it more susceptible to illness. “Children with undiagnosed diabetes may experience frequent skin infections, such as boils, or fungal infections such as thrush,” said Dr. Kagne.
When there is too much sugar in the blood, white blood cells have difficulty moving through the bloodstream, which reduces the body’s ability to fight infections.
Fatigue
One of the lesser-recognized signs is unusual fatigue. While it’s normal for children to feel tired after a long day, persistent and unexplained fatigue could be an early indicator of diabetes. It occurs due to the child’s body’s inability to properly use glucose as an energy source.
Changes in vision
If you notice changes in your child’s vision, such as blurry vision, swelling around the eyes or difficulty focusing on objects, it’s time to make an appointment with the doctor, as this could be a sign of diabetes. “High blood sugar levels can affect the flexibility of the lens of the eye,” the doctor added.
Changes in mood or behavior
Another subtle sign is behavioral or mood changes, such as increased irritability, sudden mood swings or difficulty concentrating in school, which can sometimes be related to fluctuating blood sugar levels. “Parents may dismiss these phases as typical of childhood, but when combined with other symptoms, they warrant closer attention,” she said.
Constant itching
Undiagnosed diabetes and high blood sugar levels can also damage nerve fibers throughout the body, affecting the nerves in the hands and feet. This damage causes itching due to high blood sugar levels, which reduces circulation in the extremities.
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