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Symptoms

By Mayo Clinic staff

The signs and symptoms of type 1 diabetes in children usually develop quickly, over a period of weeks. Look for:

  • Increased thirst and frequent urination. As excess sugar builds up in your child's bloodstream, fluid is pulled from the tissues. This may leave your child thirsty. As a result, your child may drink — and urinate — more than usual.
  • Extreme hunger. Without enough insulin to move sugar into your child's cells, your child's muscles and organs become depleted for energy. This triggers intense hunger.
  • Weight loss. Despite eating more than usual to relieve hunger, your child may lose weight — sometimes rapidly. Without the energy sugar supplies, muscle tissues and fat stores simply shrink. Unexplained weight loss is often the first symptom to be noticed.
  • Fatigue. If your child's cells are deprived of sugar, he or she may become tired and lethargic.
  • Irritability or unusual behavior. Children with undiagnosed type 1 diabetes may suddenly seem moody or irritable.
  • Blurred vision. If your child's blood sugar is too high, fluid may be pulled from the lenses of your child's eyes. This may affect your child's ability to focus clearly.
  • Yeast infection. A genital yeast infection may be the first sign of type 1 diabetes in a girl.

In babies and young children, the first indication of type 1 diabetes may be a yeast infection that causes a severe diaper rash that's far worse than the common red, puffy and tender skin rash. In young children and infants, lethargy, dehydration and abdominal pain also may indicate type 1 diabetes.

When to see a doctor
Talk to your child's doctor if you notice any of the signs or symptoms of type 1 diabetes — increased thirst and frequent urination, extreme hunger, weight loss, blurred vision or fatigue.

Causes Definition
References
  1. The dangerous toll of diabetes. American Diabetes Association. http://www.diabetes.org/diabetes-statistics/dangerous-toll.jsp. Accessed Jan. 6, 2009.
  2. Levitsky LL, et al. Epidemiology, presentation, and diagnosis of type 1 diabetes mellitus in children and adolescents. http://www.uptodate.com/home.index.html. Accessed Jan. 5, 2009.
  3. Eisenbarth GS, et al. Pathogenesis of type 1 diabetes mellitus. http://www.uptodate.com/home.index.html. Accessed Jan. 5, 2009.
  4. McCulloch DK. Glycemic control and vascular complications in type 1 diabetes mellitus. http://www.uptodate.com/home.index.html. Accessed Jan. 5, 2009.
  5. Kidney disease (nephropathy). American Diabetes Association. http://www.diabetes.org/utils/printthispage.jsp?PageID=TYPE1DIABETES3_232930. Accessed Jan. 6, 2009.
  6. What is diabetes: Diabetes complications. Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. http://www.jdrf.org/index.cfm?page_id=101308. Accessed Jan. 6, 2009.
  7. Prevent diabetes problems: Keep your eyes healthy. National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases. http://diabetes.niddk.nih.gov/dm/pubs/complications_eyes/index.htm. Accessed Jan. 6, 2009.
  8. McCulloch DK. Patient information: Preventing complications in diabetes mellitus. http://www.uptodate.com/home.index.html. Accessed Jan. 5, 2009.
  9. Skin complications. American Diabetes Association. http://www.diabetes.org/utils/printthispage.jsp?PageID=TYPE1DIABETES3_232934. Accessed Jan. 6, 2009.
  10. What people with diabetes need to know about osteoporosis. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. Accessed Jan. 9, 2009.
  11. Levitsky LL, et al. Management of type 1 diabetes mellitus in children and adolescents. http://www.uptodate.com/home.index.html. Accessed Jan. 5, 2009.
  12. Standards of medical care in diabetes -2009. Alexandria, Va.: American Diabetes Association. http://care.diabetesjournals.org/content/vol31/Supplement_1/. Accessed Jan. 28, 2009.
  13. Estimated average glucose, eAG. American Diabetes Association. http://professional.diabetes.org/GlucoseCalculator.aspx. Accessed Jan. 6, 2009.
  14. The basics of insulin. American Diabetes Association. http://www.diabetes.org/utils/printthispage.jsp?PageID=TYPE1DIABETES3_263601. Accessed Jan. 6, 2009.
  15. McCulloch DK. Patient information: Insulin therapy in type 1 diabetes mellitus. http://www.uptodate.com/home.index.html. Accessed Jan. 5, 2009.
  16. Levitsky LL, et al. Complications and screening in children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes mellitus. http://www.uptodate.com/home.index.html. Accessed Jan. 5, 2009.
  17. Robertson RP. Pancreas and islet transplantation in diabetes mellitus. http://www.uptodate.com/home.index.html. Accessed Jan. 6, 2009.
  18. Low blood sugar: Definition, symptoms. Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. http://www.jdrf.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.viewpage&page_id=EC9AC822-1321-C844-13C1013CF597E42F. Accessed Jan. 6, 2009.
  19. High blood sugar: Definition, symptoms. Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. http://www.jdrf.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=home.viewpage&page_id=EC92D98E-1321-C844-13EB771367A49526. Accessed Jan. 6, 2009.
  20. Ketoacidosis. American Diabetes Association. http://www.diabetes.org/type-1-diabetes/ketoacidosis.jsp. Accessed Jan. 6, 2009.
  21. Collazzo-Clavell M (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. Jan. 21, 2009.
  22. Diabetes and teens. Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation. Accessed Jan. 20, 2009.
  23. Stalvey MS. Fifty years ago in the Journal of Pediatrics. Journal of Pediatrics. 2007: 150(1) http://www.mdconsult.com/das/article/body/115791309-2/jorg=journal&source=&sp=16726925&sid=788957128/N/562819/1.html?issn=0022-3476. Accessed Jan. 6, 2009.
  24. What is Type 1 Diabetes TrialNet? Type 1 Diabetes TrialNet. http://www.diabetestrialnet.org/about/index.htm. Accessed Jan. 6, 2009.
  25. International Expert Committee. International Expert Committee report on the role of the A1C assay in the diagnosis of diabetes. Diabetes Care. 2009;32:1.

DS00931

June 13, 2009

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