Diabetes in Children: Who Is at Risk and How To Recognize It

28 de octubre de 2025

2 min de lectura

A child’s diabetes diagnosis always comes as a shock to his or her parents. However, it is better to detect it sooner rather than later. What symptoms should parents look out for?

Puntos clave

A child’s diabetes diagnosis always comes as a shock to his or her parents.
Background
Risk group

Para quién es

Personas que exploran Pediatría a través de insulina, glucosa.

Por qué importa

Este artículo te ayuda a orientarte rápidamente y luego avanzar a una colección o serie si quieres seguir profundizando.

Autor del artículo

Dra. Ely

médico general

Background

Diabetes mellitus is a disease associated with impaired production of the hormone insulin. The development of type 1 diabetes is caused by disruption of the beta cells of the pancreas, which leads to absolute insulin deficiency. This results in chronic hyperglycemia (elevated blood glucose levels).

The basis of type 2 diabetes is insulin resistance, which is a decrease in the sensitivity to insulin of insulin-dependent tissues of the body, primarily muscle, and fat with subsequent failure of glucose metabolism and its flow to these tissues. This leads to relative insulin deficiency (normal amount of insulin, which is not enough for normal digestion of glucose).

More than 90 % of all cases of diabetes mellitus in children and adolescents are type 1. The peak of the primary diagnosis is from 8–20 years old.

Risk group

There are many theories about the risk factors for diabetes. To date, only genetic predisposition, as well as acute and chronic pancreatitis (which over time leads to the destruction of pancreatic tissue), have shown to be linked to diabetes.

If the child or family has a history of autoimmune diseases (this can include issues of the thyroid, lupus, vitiligo, etc.), there is a slightly higher chance that the child may have type 1 diabetes.

Symptoms to look for

Type 1 diabetes often show up in children with the following symptoms:

Unquenchable thirst — the child drinks lots of ice water
Frequent and abundant urination
Increased appetite
Rapid weight loss, even though the child eats a lot
Muscle weakness, lethargy
Decreased activity, sleepiness, attention issues
Nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain

Type 2 diabetes in its initial stages often does not show itself at all or begins with metabolic disorders and obesity. The child might complain of decreased vision or acne, which during puberty may look like normal blackheads all over the body.

Whatever type of diabetes a child has, medical attention should be sought after as soon as possible. This will avoid dangerous side effects and complications.

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