Diagnosing Diabetes in Children

Diabetes in children, which will generally be Type I diabetes, or juvenile diabetes as it is commonly called, has certain hallmarks that can help in diagnosing this particular medical condition. Ultimately, what happens when a child develops diabetes is his body begins to damage the cells that form the pancreas. In time, the pancreas will cease making insulin, which is essential to moving the sugar from the blood into the cells to nourish the body. As the blood sugar begins to rise and his cells inevitably become undernourished, he will eventually begin to exhibit certain signs and symptoms that will often lead a parent to seek medical advice.

Fluids

Most often, a parent will begin to notice a change in the consumption and expulsion of fluids in her child. Since the body isn't seeing the necessary removal of sugar from the blood, it will essentially tell the kidneys to sort of work overtime to clear the body of this surplus sugar, which will increase the amount of urine the child will produce. As the body produces more urine, the child will eventually become dehydrated. This will trigger another reaction in the body that tells the child that he needs to hydrate, manifesting as an increase in thirst. It's a cyclical symptom of diabetes.

Food

Given that the body is unable to transport or move the sugar from the blood to the cells for nourishment, a parent will commonly see a change in relation to the consumption of food and its affect on the child. A child with diabetes will frequently begin to experience what would be seen as a loss in weight, even when the child continues to eat normally. This is due to two reasons. The first would be a "loss" of sugar through urination, which would translate into a reduction in caloric intake, or retention. The second would be the deprivation of nourishment to the cells, which forces them to turn to fat and muscle to get the sustenance they need to function. All of this can then lead a child to become excessively hungry, yet not experience any real weight gain.

Other Indications

As the condition persists without treatment, a parent will usually begin to see a certain amount of abnormal exhaustion or fatigue in his child. This is a consequence of the cells in the body not getting the proper nutrients. Remember, the sugar in the blood is unable to move into the cells due to the lack of insulin. This will deprive to the body of energy, hence the exhaustion. Some children will also complain of problem with their vision, seeing images that are fuzzy or blurry. While there is an issue with the eyes, it is really due to the amount of sugar in the blood, which can cause the lenses of the eyes to swell, distorting a child's vision. You may also notice that your child's breath has an odd, sweet aroma that could also be described as fruity. Again, this is a result of a heightened level of sugar in the blood.

Action

If you suspect your child has diabetes, don't wait to consult a medical professional. Make an appointment immediately with your local doctor. The longer you let the condition remain, the more trouble it may pose for your child. As you seek treatment, your child will most likely need to spend an increased amount of time at the clinic. Don't worry, this is completely normal. What the doctor is doing is trying to stabilize your child's blood sugar level. From there, it will be monitored in longer intervals.

Diagnosis

Before your child is actually diagnosed with diabetes, the doctor will do some sort of blood test. In an emergency situation, it will occur immediately. In a less urgent scenario, the doctor may ask you to come back the next morning when the child has an empty stomach. No matter which test your child goes through, a certain level of sugar in the blood will be looked for to make the diagnosis, or at least an indication of the potential.

Resources

• Diabetes Guide