Diabetes expert reveals rise of cases in children during pandemic
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People with diabetes often have to reckon with symptoms for much of their life. Many will find the first signs come in adulthood when they are well-placed to make their own dietary decisions. Unfortunately, whether type 1 or 2, diabetes can develop at any age.
What are the signs of diabetes in children?
Diabetes in children tends to strike between the ages of 10 and 19.
Many of the hallmark signs of these conditions tend to mirror those seen in adults.
But their parents or carers will need to keep their eyes peeled for signs children won’t necessarily reveal straight away.
Type 1 diabetes symptoms in children include:
- Increased or excessive thirst
- Increased urination or bed-wetting
- Sweet-smelling breath
- Behavioural changes and irritability
- Excessive hunger
- Fatigue
- Unintentional weight loss
Type 2 diabetes symptoms in children include:
- Sores or slow-healing infections
- Darkened skin around the armpits, neck or other areas
- Excessive fatigue
- Excessive thirst
- Excessive hunger
- Increased urination
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Parents must make it a priority to treat their children quickly, as diabetes can cause secondary conditions.
For type 1 and 2 diabetes, these include:
Blood vessel-related disease: Diabetes can predispose children to high blood pressure, heart disease, strokes and narrow vessels later in life.
Eye damage: The damage diabetes does to blood vessels can spread to the eyes, preventing optimal function.
Nerve damage: In the same vein, blood vessels fuel nerves throughout the body, and as diabetes impacts the supply, they become less sensitive.
Kidney damage: Blood vessels may struggle to supply the kidneys with increasing interference from diabetes.
Osteoporosis: Diabetes may stunt bone mineral production, increasing risks of osteoporosis in later life.
What is the outlook for children with diabetes?
Children may not spot the symptoms of diabetes as early as parents and may not be as forthcoming.
As such, medical experts often can’t provide a general prediction for them.
The condition in young people is less established on the medical record.
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