Doctors used to think that children would only have type 1 diabetes. For a long time, type 1 diabetes was even called juvenile diabetes.
This is no longer the case. Now, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), more than 208,000 people under age 20 have diabetes. This includes both type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes.
Here’s what parents need to know if their child needs a diagnosis.
What is type 2 diabetes?
People may have heard of both diabetes and high blood sugar. The digestive system in the body breaks down carbohydrates into a type of sugar called glucose. And the pancreas produces a hormone called insulin, which carries glucose from the bloodstream to the cells, where it is used as fuel.
In type 2 diabetes, the cells in your child’s body don’t respond to insulin and glucose builds up in the bloodstream, which is called insulin resistance. Eventually, the child’s body has too much sugar for insulin to carry. In the future, this can lead to other problems, such as heart disease, blindness, and kidney failure.
Who is at risk for the disease?
Type 2 diabetes is most likely to affect children who have:
- Girls;
- Obese children;
- People with a family history of diabetes;
- American Indian, African American, Asian, or Hispanic/Latino;
- Children with insulin resistance.
The biggest cause of type 2 diabetes in children is being overweight. Almost one-third of children in the United States are overweight. Once a child becomes too fat, the odds of developing diabetes double.
One or more of these conditions can lead to being overweight or obese:
- An unhealthy diet;
- Lack of physical activity;
- Overweight family members (living or deceased);
- Rare cases of hormonal problems or other medical conditions.
As with adults, type 2 diabetes is more likely to occur in children who are obese in the middle of the body.
What are the specific symptoms?
They may not start out as a disease.
The disease may not start with any symptoms. After a while, there may be:
- Unexplained weight loss;
- Very hungry or thirsty even after meals;
- dry mouth;
- Frequent urination;
- Fatigue;
- Blurred vision;
- Heavy breathing;
- Slow wound healing;
- Itchy skin;
- Numbness or tingling in the hands and feet.
If you notice any of these symptoms in your child, seek immediate medical attention.
How is it treated?
The first step is to take your child to the doctor. Depending on your child’s age, weight, and height, your doctor can determine if he or she is overweight. The doctor will use a blood glucose test to determine if the child is diabetic or pre-diabetic. If he or she does have diabetes, some additional steps may be needed to determine if it is type 1 or type 2.
The child may be given insulin until the doctor confirms the diagnosis. Once type 2 diabetes is confirmed, you will be asked to help your child make lifestyle changes. The doctor may recommend that your child take metformin. It and insulin are the only two blood glucose-lowering drugs used in children under 18 years old, and other drugs are being studied.
Children should have a glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) test every 3 months, which measures the child’s average blood glucose level over that period of time.
Your child’s blood glucose needs to be checked if:
Physicians will teach how and how often to test blood glucose. Most experts recommend testing 3 or more times a day if your child is on insulin. If not on insulin, you can test less often, but you should test after meals. Testing can be done with traditional fingertip blood testing or with a dynamic glucose monitor.
You can take your child to a dietitian who can help with meal planning.
Get your child at least 60 minutes of exercise a day and limit the amount of time he or she spends at home on electronic devices to 2 hours a day.
Can childhood diabetes be prevented?
Can diabetes be prevented in children?
The same measures used to treat type 2 diabetes in children can also prevent it. Reduce the amount of calories, unhealthy fats, and candy in your child’s diet. Make sure your child gets physical activity every day. Studies have shown that exercise has a significant effect on reducing insulin resistance. These two important approaches can help your child lose and maintain a healthy weight and normal blood sugar levels.
Special concerns
Children, especially adolescents, may have a hard time making changes in preventing and coping with type 2 diabetes. Here are some ways parents can help their children.
- Speak honestly with your child about health and weight. Support him and encourage him to talk about it.
- Don’t separate your child for special treatment alone. The whole family can benefit from changes in diet and life.
- Change slowly. Just as it takes time for diabetes to develop, it takes time to get healthier.
- Do more activities that your child enjoys. Reduce the amount of time your family spends watching TV or playing video games.
- If your child refuses to follow the plan, try to find out why. For example, teens are experiencing hormonal changes, demands on their time, peer pressure, and other things that are more important to them than their health.
- Set goals that are small and easy to reach. Give your child special rewards as she achieves each goal. Then strive for the next goal.
- See a diabetes educator, doctor, nutritionist, or other diabetes expert for more information on how to help your child become healthier.
Working together, parents, children, and diabetes health care providers can ensure that your child stays healthy for years to come.