Diabetes in Children and Teens

Type 1 Diabetes

Many people have this type of diabetes, which usually develops in children and young adults when their immune systems attack cells in the pancreas that produce insulin, a hormone that helps cells absorb glucose from the bloodstream.

• The common type of diabetes in children and teens was type 1.
• But now younger people are also getting type 2 diabetes.
• Type 2 diabetes used to be called adult-onset diabetes. But now it is becoming more common in children and teens, due to more obesity. With Type 2 diabetes, the body does not make or use insulin well.
• Children have a higher risk of type 2 diabetes if they are obese, have a family history of diabetes, or are not active, and do not eat well.

To lower the risk of type 2 diabetes in children

• Have them maintain a healthy weight
• Be sure they are physically active
• Have them eat smaller portions of healthy foods
• Limit time with the TV, computer, and video
• Children and teens with type 1 diabetes may need to take insulin. Type 2 diabetes may be controlled with diet an Before Type 2 Diabetes Starts

Symptoms of Type 2 Diabetes in Children

• High blood glucose levels
• Unexplained weight loss
• Increased hunger or thirst, even after eating
• Dry mouth
• Frequent urination
• Fatigue
• Blurred vision
• Heavy breathing
• Slow healing of sores or cuts
• Itchy skin
• Numbness or tingling in the hands or feet
• Low HDL (“good”) cholesterol levels

If Your Child Gets Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes treatment has three goals:

• Get blood glucose levels as close to normal as you can.
• Get A1C levels as close to normal as you can. A1C reflects long-term blood glucose control.
• Prevent damage to the eyes, kidney, nerves, and heart.

Close relatives with type 2 diabetes

• High cholesterol levels
• Dark patches of skin, often on the back of the neck
• Overweight
• High blood pressure
• High triglyceride (a kind of fat) levels