Type 1 Diabetes

A child is at more risk for type 1 diabetes if they have any of these risk factors:

• Has a family member with the condition
• Is between the ages of 4 to 6 or 10 to 14

A new medicine was approved to help delay the onset of type 1 diabetes. This may be a choice for people who are at high risk or have early signs of type 1 diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes often appears suddenly. In children, its symptoms may seem like flu symptoms. They can be different for each child and can include:

• High levels of glucose in the blood and urine when tested
• Increased thirst
• Frequent urination 
• Extreme hunger but weight loss
• Loss of appetite in younger children
• Blurred vision
• Nausea and vomiting
• Belly pain
• Weakness and severe tiredness (fatigue)
• Irritability and mood changes
• Serious diaper rash that does get better with treatment
• Fruity breath and fast breathing
• Yeast infection in girls

The symptoms of type 1 diabetes can seem like other health conditions. Make sure your child sees their healthcare provider for a diagnosis.

The healthcare provider will ask about your child’s symptoms and health history. They may also ask about your family’s health history. They will give your child a physical exam. Your child may also have blood tests, such as:

• Fasting plasma glucose. The blood is tested after at least 8 hours of not eating.
• Random plasma glucose. The blood is tested when there are symptoms of increased thirst, urination and hunger.
• Oral glucose tolerance test. This is a 2-hour test that checks your child's blood glucose levels before and 2 hours after drinking a sugary drink. It tells your doctor how your child's body processes glucose.
• A1C test. This test shows the average amount of glucose in the blood over the last 2 to 3 months.
• Insulin and C-peptide levels. These levels will be low or normal with type 1 diabetes, but high with type 2 diabetes.
• Antibody levels. People with newly diagnosed type 1 diabetes will usually have high levels of antibodies against certain proteins found in the pancreas.

Type 1 diabetes can cause:

• Ketoacidosis. This is when blood sugar levels are very high and the body starts making ketones. This is a very serious condition that needs to be treated right away in the hospital. Sometimes treatment is done in the intensive care unit (ICU). If your child is not treated right away, they are at risk for diabetic coma. This can cause loss of consciousness because of brain swelling. The brain swells because of the very high blood sugar levels.
• Low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). This is also sometimes called an insulin reaction. This occurs when blood glucose drops too low.

Your child’s healthcare provider will tell you how to prevent these problems.

Over time, high blood sugar levels can damage blood vessels. Balancing insulin, diet and activity can help keep blood sugar levels in the target range and help prevent complications, such as:

• Eye problems
• Kidney disease
• Nerve damage
• Tooth and gum problems
• Skin and foot problems
• Heart and blood vessel disease

A type 1 diabetes diagnosis can be stressful for a child and their family. A younger child may not understand all the life changes, such as glucose monitoring and insulin injections. A child may feel:

• As if they are being punished
• Guilty
• Fearful of death
• Angry toward the parent

Parents can help their child by treating them as a normal child, with diabetes management as just an aspect of their daily life. Tell siblings and close family members about diabetes so they can understand and support your child. Have your child wear a medical alert bracelet.

Many areas have diabetes camps, support groups and other organizations for children with type 1 diabetes and their families. Talk with your child’s healthcare provider for more information.

Children with type 1 diabetes must get daily injections of insulin to keep the blood glucose level within normal ranges. Insulin is given either by injection or insulin pump. Your child’s doctor will show you how to give your child insulin with either method.