Symptoms of Type 1 Diabetes in Infants and Toddlers
Type 1 diabetes is a serious autoimmune disease in which the pancreas stops producing insulin, which is essential to getting energy from food. It strikes suddenly and has nothing to do with diet or lifestyle. Unfortunately, symptoms of type 1 diabetes in infants and toddlers may not always be easy to pinpoint. Thatās because itās very hardāparticularly in the case of infantsāfor young children to let their parents know that something isnāt right.
What to look for: Symptoms of type 1 diabetes in babies and toddlers
You may or may not be aware that increased thirst and frequent urination are common symptoms of type 1 diabetes in toddlers and other young children. The reason this happens is rising blood-sugar levels trigger a reaction in the body that pulls fluid from tissues. This will leave your son or daughter constantlyāand understandablyāthirsty, which leads to increased urination. If your toddler is potty-trained you may also notice that they revert back or have bed-wetting issues.
But what else should you watch out for? Below are some other potential signs of type 1 diabetes in infants and toddlers:
Fatigue
This could be a sign that your childās body isnāt able to turn the sugar in the bloodstream into energy.
Intense hunger and unexplained weight loss
If your childās muscles and organs arenāt receiving enough energy, it can trigger extreme hunger. Sudden weight lossāespecially if he or she is eating moreācould also be a major warning sign.
Changes in vision
High blood-glucose levels could lead to blurred vision or other eyesight issues. Unfortunately at a very young age, your son or daughter may not yet be able to articulate this.
Yeast infection
This type of infection can be one of the signs of diabetes in babies, but it may present itself as a diaper rash caused by excessive yeast.
Fruity smelling breath or sugar in urine
This is a sign that your kidās body is attempting to excrete sugar that it canāt get into its cells.
Unusual behavior
If your son or daughter suddenly becomes irritable, restless, or moody it may be cause for concern, particularly if this coincides with other symptoms.
If you have any reason to believe that youāre seeing signs of type 1 diabetes in your infant or toddler, itās important to see a doctor immediately. Rather than second-guessing your worries, remind yourself that itās always better to be safe than sorry when it comes to your childās health.