signs of diabetes in children – Diabetes Under Control

Despite the joys of pregnancy and having a baby, this can also be a time filled with anxiety and worry. Fears of gestational diabetes can significantly add to your concerns. This is essentially a type of diabetes that develops during pregnancy and is usually temporary. Your body stops producing or responding to insulin effectively, resulting in a rise in blood sugar levels. This can cause symptoms of diabetes and if left untreated, it can also pose health risks to both mother and child. To ease your concerns and at the same time take appropriate precautions, it is important to recognize and not confuse pregnancy and gestational diabetes symptoms.

Pregnancy And Gestational Diabetes Symptoms

During pregnancy, gestational diabetes is concerning as it affects an estimated 14% of pregnancies in India. However, it’s not uncommon for fears to be unfounded as the symptoms of gestational diabetes can be very similar to normal pregnancy symptoms. In many cases, gestational diabetes may present no symptoms at all. Nevertheless, here are some warning signs of gestational diabetes that you can look out for:

Increased fatigue and weakness

Increased frequency of urination particularly at night

Increased thirst

Unintentional and sudden weight loss

Blurring of vision

Increased occurrence of urinary, vaginal, or skin infections, especially yeast infections

As many pregnancy symptoms overlap with those of gestational diabetes, simply make it a point to inform your doctor if you notice any sudden change or unusual symptoms.

Pregnancy And Gestational Diabetes – Know Your Risk

Although gestational diabetes can affect any pregnancy, some women are at a higher risk. Risk factors include:

Previous diagnosis of prediabetes or elevated blood sugar levels

Family history or past experience of gestational diabetes

Presence of hypertension or hormonal conditions like PCOS

Family history of diabetes

Obesity, overweight, or excessive weight gain during pregnancy

Past delivery of a baby with a weight of at least 9 pounds or with birth defects

Past experience of miscarriage or stillbirth

All women who are expecting should undergo regular prenatal testing because of the risk that gestational diabetes poses during pregnancy and because of its insidious nature, often presenting no visible symptoms. However, screening for gestational diabetes is even more important for women at risk of gestational diabetes.

Gestational Diabetes Testing During Pregnancy

Screening tests for diabetes are part of routine health checks during pregnancy, highlighting the importance of prenatal testing. To begin with, a urine sample is collected and the presence of sugar is measured. In case of high presence of sugar, blood tests will be recommended to diagnose gestational diabetes. These tests include:

Initial Glucose Challenge Test

During the test, you will first be asked to consume a syrup-like substance containing glucose. Blood sugar levels are then tested in an hour and if the results are higher than normal, a follow up test will be recommended.

Follow-up glucose tolerance testing

You will need to undergo an overnight fast before this test and will be administered a glucose mixture before testing in the morning. Blood sugar levels are then checked thrice at regular intervals during the following three hours. A diagnosis of gestational diabetes is confirmed if two out of the three readings are higher than normal.

Outlook For Gestational Diabetes

Typically, gestational diabetes is a temporary condition and blood sugar levels return to normal after delivery. However, developing gestational diabetes during pregnancy increases the risk of a recurrence during future pregnancies and such women are also at risk of developing type-2 diabetes later in life. On the upside, this risk can be easily mitigated with healthy lifestyle changes including the adoption of a diabetes diet, active lifestyle, and regular health checks.

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With India emerging as an epicentre of the global diabetes epidemic, most attention is focused on diabetes that develops during adulthood – type 2 diabetes. However, data from the International Diabetes Federation shows that India is also home to the world’s second-largest population of childhood or adolescent diabetes patients. Over 128,000 Indians under the age of 19 have type 1 diabetes and evidence shows the prevalence of type 2 diabetes in children is also rising. This makes it important for Indian parents to be aware of the risk of diabetes in children because early detection and treatment is critical for the effective management of the condition.

The Importance Of Early Detection Of Diabetes In Children

Both types of diabetes affect the body’s use of insulin and consequently blood sugar levels, posing a risk of life-threatening complications if left untreated. Children and adolescents with diabetes face a much higher risk of health problems throughout their life.

Type 1 diabetes is more common in children and although it can develop at any age, 85 percent of cases are detected in children and adolescents under the age of 20. Type 2 diabetes rates in children are also rising because of the increased prevalence of childhood obesity, which is regarded as a major risk factor. Additionally, children who have close relatives such as a parent or sibling with type 2 diabetes are at a higher risk of developing the condition.

No matter which type of diabetes we’re dealing with, early detection is critical for improving outcomes. With type 1 diabetes, children require lifelong treatment with insulin and blood sugar monitoring, along with lifestyle changes to keep blood sugar levels in control. With type 2 diabetes, children may need medication, but if detected early the condition can be reversed or effectively managed with lifestyle changes alone, including diet therapy, exercise, and weight management.

Diabetes Warning Signs In Children

Signs of diabetes in children can develop slowly or rapidly, depending on the type of diabetes. Here are the signs of diabetes in children that parents should look out for.

Type 1 Diabetes In Children

These symptoms may develop rapidly over a period of just a few weeks:

Increased thirst and hunger

Frequent urination and possible bed-wetting

Sudden weight loss

Reduced energy levels

Moodiness and irritability

Fruity or sweet-smelling breath

Parents are urged to pay heed to such signs of diabetes, as failure or delays in treatment can lead to diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), which is a serious condition in which the body burns fat as an energy source as it can no longer utilize glucose.

Type 2 Diabetes In Children

These symptoms tend to develop gradually over a period of months or even years:

Increased thirst

Frequent urination, often at night

Lethargy and fatigue

Unintentional weight loss

Blurring of vision

Darkening of the skin around the neck or armpits

Skin rash or itching around the genitals

Delayed wound healing

If you notice any of these warning signs of diabetes in children, seek immediate medical attention. Both types of diabetes can cause severe complications if left untreated. If your child has any of the risk factors for diabetes, such as obesity or a family history of the disease, discuss the need for routine diabetes screenings with your paediatrician.