Juvenile Diabetes symptoms in children may appear suddenly and can mimic other conditions, some of which seem to be part of the childhood experience. A child who is cranky or fussy just needs a nap. A baby who constantly has a diaper rash may have a dairy allergy. A toddler who is potty training had an accident. A kid who vomited caught the flu from daycare. A child with fruity smelling breath just had a cherry lollipop. All of these scenarios could be factual. Yet, again, any one of these children could have Juvenile Diabetes, also known as Insulin Dependent Diabetes Mellitus (IDDM).
It is strange to think that these occurrences could be the sign of anything other than normal days in adolescence, but parents of Diabetes in juvenile patients know better. This disease is an autoimmune condition in which the immune system attacks the beta cells in the pancreas. The beta cells are then unable to secrete proper, if any, levels of insulin. Insulin is needed for the transfer of glucose out of the bloodstream and into the muscles, fat, and tissues for fuel. When there is no insulin available, the glucose remains in the blood and there is no energy for the body.
Signs of Juvenile Diabetes in Toddlers
Signs of Juvenile Diabetes in toddler sare similar to symptoms that adults with diabetes suffer, but since little children cannot always verbalize their aches and pains, a parent may not always notice the progression of a serious disease until signs are obvious. Overt Juvenile Diabetes symptoms in toddlers will be an excessive need to drink and to urinate. Toddlers may drink constantly and a parent may notice they are finding unusual ways to be hydrated like drinking bath water. As children in this stage are usually potty trained, an indicator of diabetes could present as a child who suddenly starts peeing his pants again because he cannot make it to the toilet.
Toddlers may also become lethargic, which is unusual for their age. If they are less active than other children their age are, or begin taking longer, more frequent naps, they should see their pediatrician. Nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea may also be signs of Juvenile Diabetes in children, especially if these symptoms last longer than a few days. Sudden weight loss or failure to gain weight and labored breathing may signal Diabetes.Less obvious symptoms may indicate a fruity or sweet smell on a child’s breath.
Juvenile Diabetes Symptoms in Children – Complications
Symptoms of Juvenile Diabetes in children occur suddenly, and will linger until the child receives treatment. Most children who do not receive urgent medical will enter Diabetic Ketoacidosis, which is a life threatening condition. When a child’s glucose levels become elevated due to lack of insulin, the body will eventually try to burn fat as fuel. When this happens, fatty acids, called ketones will enter the blood and urine. Children need to have their blood sugar levels stabilized as soon as possible or they can become comatose and possibly die. If this happens, emergency medical care needs to be summoned immediately.
