According to a study conducted in 1992, there were approximately 97000 children with
diabetes in India. When it comes to kids even an upset tummy is pretty worrisome for parents. Imagine their plight when the kids are diagnosed with diabetes. This blog entails all you know about Juvenile Diabetes Causes, Symptoms & Treatment.
Diabetes in kids, also known as juvenile diabetes is a serious medical condition and requires due medical attention. In this article, we would be discussing this medical condition in detail and educate our readers about what causes juvenile diabetes, how to detect it in your young ones and what could be done to cure/prevent it.
What causes diabetes in children?
Sadly, the current medical science and the scientific community is still attempting to find out the causative agents for diabetes in children. There is no conclusive evidence as to why juveniles are facing this medical condition. Diabetes is categorized into two distinctive attributes or types and they are Type 1 Diabetes & Type 2 Diabetes. Unfortunately, kids are now been tormented by both of them.
As per the current knowledge of the condition Juvenile type 1 diabetes is caused when the children's own immune system turns against them, destroying the insulin-producing islet cells in the pancreas. Role of genetics is been explored with respect to this autoimmune disorder but as mentioned earlier there is no conclusive scientific evidence backing it.
Type 2 Diabetes in children is presently being attributed to obesity and tummy fat. In this condition, the body of the child becomes resistant to insulin and at the same time the pancreas are also not producing enough insulin to process and maintain the blood sugar levels.
What can juvenile diabetes lead to?
We cannot overemphasize the seriousness of juvenile diabetes. As mentioned earlier juvenile diabetes is of two types and we would be mentioning the additional complications that can occur alongside diabetes in the table below.
| Type 1 Diabetes |
Type 2 Diabetes |
| Children suffering from type 1 diabetes are prone to developing heart-related medical conditions like coronary heart disease. |
Type 2 diabetes often leads to high blood pressure in children. Although it may happen at a later stage of life. |
| Uncontrolled blood sugar level leads to nerve damage. It can affect multiple organs, children with diabetes are also likely to have nerve damage in the eyes. |
Type 2 diabetes also causes high cholesterol levels in the blood vessels of the children. |
| Type 1 Diabetes also leads to kidney damage in children which at times can be fatal or call for a kidney transplant. |
Diseases related to heart are very common in children with type 2 diabetes. |
| Type 1 Diabetes can also make children more prone to skin diseases. |
Type 2 diabetes might even lead to children suffering from a stroke. |
| It also decreases the bone density in children and might eventually lead to osteoporosis. |
Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is also common in children with type 2 diabetes and might ultimately lead to liver failure. |
| Diseases of the kidney are also pretty prevalent in children with this type of diabetes. |
Type 2 diabetes might also pave way for diabetic blindness and gangrene in limbs particularly in feet and legs, this condition would require amputation of affected organs in order to stop the progression of the condition. |
Image Credit - TOI
Symptoms of Diabetes in Children
Juvenile Diabetes Causes, Symptoms & Treatment: Children suspected of suffering from diabetes might show certain symptoms. Here we have listed some of the prominent symptoms that might be observed in children suffering from diabetes.
| Symptoms |
Type 1 Diabetes |
Type 2 Diabetes |
| Yeast Infection |
Babies suspected of having type 1 Diabetes would have frequent diaper rashes attributed to yeast infection. Girls would show frequent genital yeast infections. |
Generally, in Type 2 Diabetes yeast infections are not observed. |
| Hunger Pangs |
Children suspected of having type 1 diabetes would show sudden and extreme hunger bouts as there is a sudden drop in blood sugar levels. |
There are no hunger pangs with type 2 diabetes. |
| Fatigue |
Owing to less efficient blood sugar mechanism of the body the child would be in a constant state of fatigue. |
Fatigue is observed in children with type 2 diabetes. |
| Mood Swings |
You may observe mood swings and irritability in the child. |
Children suffering from type 2 diabetes, in general, do not show signs of irritability and mood swings. |
| Ketone Breath |
When the body burns fat instead of sugars a chemical substance called ketone is produced which leads to fruity smelling breath. If you notice this in your child, then chances are that he might be suffering from type 1 diabetes. |
No ketone breath is observed in general with type 2 diabetes. |
| Vision Defect |
A high blood sugar level pulls the fluids away from the lens of the eyes resulting in blurred vision. If this happens with your child then there is a chance that he might be suffering from Type 1 Diabetes |
Your child might have blurred vision owing to the lack of proper fluid volume near the lens of the eyes. |
| Frequent Urination and
Increased Thirst |
Elevated blood sugar levels pull fluids from the cells leading to an increased fluid volume in the body, the body deals with it by removing the excess fluid in form of urine. This leads to frequent urination and increased thirst. If your toilet trained child is now into bed wetting then it's time to be cautious and get him checked for type 1 diabetes. |
Frequent urination and Increased thirst are observed in this case too and for the same reasons as in type 1 diabetes. |
| Weight Loss |
If your child is losing weight without any apparent reason, then you should get him checked for type 1 diabetes. Without proper blood sugar the tissues of the body get wasted and hence a sudden and rapid weight loss is observed in people and children suffering from Type 1 Diabetes. |
Weight loss is also observed. |
Conclusion
Having read our article on Juvenile Diabetes Causes, Symptoms & Treatment, you would know by now that there is no particular cure for diabetes. Diabetes is a condition which needs to be managed with aid of medical care. Your child would require constant health monitoring and would have to live an active life and eat healthily. One thing we are sure of in this scenario is that diabetes is a medical condition which can be very well managed and those suffering can lead a normal and quality life. In case you notice one or more of the diabetes symptoms mentioned above then we would urge you to get your child checked by a doctor promptly. Happy Parenting! :)
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A doting mom to an angel, Social Media Specialist & Professional Blogger. She loves to share her thoughts with other parents in the same turbulent boat. She absolutely loves & adores her family & is learning to strike a good work-life balance. When she is not writing, cooking or busy taking care of her toddler, she probably is dancing to some good desi music!
