Did you know that more than 350,000 American children have diabetes? It’s a common disease among adults — but many people don’t realize that it can affect kids, too. In fact, children can have either type 1 or type 2 diabetes, but type 1 is by far the most common.
Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition that occurs when the immune system mistakenly attacks and destroys the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. Insulin is a hormone crucial for regulating blood sugar levels, and without sufficient insulin, glucose (sugar) builds up in the bloodstream, contributing to a range of health problems.
At Endocrine Associates of West Village, our specialists help children and their families understand and manage pediatric diabetes. Many early signs of diabetes are subtle, making it challenging for parents to recognize, but we’re here to help.
Although diabetes is common, it doesn’t always come with noticeable symptoms. A few subtle signs that something might be off include:
Even though your child may have a normal or even increased appetite, they might experience unexpected weight loss because their body can’t properly use glucose for energy, forcing it to burn fat and muscle for fuel instead.
Children with type 1 diabetes may feel unusually tired, even if they get enough sleep. This constant fatigue can significantly impact their daily activities, including their ability to play or complete schoolwork.
High blood sugar levels can affect brain function. Some children with diabetes can experience unexplained irritability, mood swings, or difficulty concentrating.
Diabetes can interfere with your body’s ability to heal itself and make you prone to infection. Children with type 1 diabetes may experience recurrent infections, like skin infections, urinary tract infections, and yeast infections.
If your child gets a cut or scrape, you may also notice that it heals more slowly than expected. Wounds can take longer to heal in people with diabetes because high blood sugar can interfere with blood flow.
If a child who has been previously toilet-trained starts wetting the bed again, it could be a sign of diabetes. Diabetes can make you excessively thirsty, and high blood sugar can increase urination, which can be difficult to control at night.
If you’re concerned about your child’s health, make an appointment with their pediatrician. Early diagnosis and proper management of type 1 diabetes are essential to your child’s long-term well-being, and their pediatric care team can help connect you with the right specialists.
At Endocrine Associates of West Village, we take a comprehensive approach to pediatric diabetes management. We work with your child to create a treatment plan that fits their unique needs.
Proactive diabetes management typically involves:
Regular blood sugar checks help us understand how your child’s body is responding to insulin and diet. From there, we use insulin therapy and diet to manage their blood sugar levels.
Physical activity helps improve insulin sensitivity and overall health while learning about diabetes management and accessing support resources can empower children and their families to live healthy lives.
Want to learn more about recognizing and managing pediatric diabetes? Call one of our offices in Brooklyn, Long Island City, or New York, New York, or request an appointment online now.
