- For parents, seeing their children suffer for any reason is difficult. It is especially challenging to correctly identify what is happening when your baby is sick or shows signs of suffering. As a parent or care-giver, it is important to recognize and respond to signs and symptoms of diabetes in your baby. Your baby's pediatrician can do a simple blood glucose test to eliminate the possibility of diabetes.
- A person with high sugar blood levels urinates very often as the body attempts to get rid of the extra glucose. If you notice that you are changing your baby's diaper much more frequently than previously, there may be cause for concern. Diapers are unusually heavy when they contain more liquid than usual. If you notice a pattern of heavier diapers or more frequent changes for more than a couple of days, ask your pediatrician to do a blood glucose test.
- Of course, your infant will not be able to tell you if she is thirsty. However, you may notice that she can't get enough of her bottles and often cries out for more. The frequent urination caused by high blood sugar levels may be dehydrating your baby. Constant thirst, especially when coupled with weight loss, is a third symptom of diabetes.
- Another sign of diabetes is weight loss. If your infant is losing weight, call his pediatrician. There may be other reasons for his weight loss, but your baby needs help right away. Regardless of the cause, quick intervention and diagnosis will help your infant regain his health.
- Lethargy is another sign of diabetes. Your infant may stop responding normally to your attention and just lie in bed or seem unusually inactive. Knowing what is normal for your infant helps you recognize and respond to the signs and symptoms of diabetes. Tell your baby's pediatrician if there is a history of diabetes in your family. Even without a family history, if you notice any signs or symptoms, get your baby tested.
