“Diabetes” is a chronic disease that many people understand as affecting adults who eat a lot, with older individuals at higher risk. However, in reality, diabetes can occur… even in children under 1 year old! So how can new parents recognize abnormal warning signs from their little ones? Here is advice from Dr. Nualphong Rianmanee, a pediatric endocrinologist specializing in diabetes and growth, Child Health Center, Phyathai 2 Hospital
Is “diabetes in children” different from “diabetes in adults”?
When talking about diabetes found in both children and adults, the doctor explained that both childhood and adult diabetes can be divided into 2 types, but “differ” in that “Type 1 diabetes” is more common in children, caused by insulin deficiency, while the type more common in adults is “Type 2 diabetes,” where the pancreas can produce insulin but the insulin does not work effectively, causing problems with sugar metabolism and resulting in high blood sugar levels.
Adults diagnosed with “Type 1 diabetes” did not just develop it… but have had it since childhood!
Type 1 diabetes is a genetic disorder causing destruction of pancreatic cells, preventing insulin production, allowing Type 1 diabetes to be detected in children under 1 year old.
For Type 1 diabetes detected in adults, the doctor further explained that the person actually had latent diabetes since childhood, but due to the severity of the disease and lifestyle behaviors, symptoms may appear later, showing up during adolescence or adulthood.
What warning signs should prompt screening for diabetes in your little one?
For Type 1 diabetes, parents can observe these symptoms:
- Frequent urination
- Drinking a lot of water
- Weight loss but eating a lot
- Feeling tired, decreased energy for activities or play
- In some cases, breath may smell fruity due to high blood ketones
As for Type 2 diabetes, symptoms are often not obvious. The doctor advises that if a child is overweight or obese and has dark thickened skin around the neck, regardless of family history of diabetes, the child should be screened for diabetes.
Can diabetes in children lead to severe complications?
In severe cases of diabetes, children may experience frequent urination, electrolyte imbalance causing fatigue, high blood sugar, and acidosis, which can lead to difficulty breathing. If hospital treatment is delayed, there is a risk of coma.
How to prevent your child from developing diabetes
In patients with Type 1 diabetes, research has found that children who drink cow’s milk may have an increased risk of developing Type 1 diabetes, possibly because substances in cow’s milk stimulate the immune system affecting pancreatic cell function, preventing insulin production. Switching from cow’s milk to breast milk can reduce the risk of Type 1 diabetes.
Stimulating abnormal genes present in patients from birth, switching from cow’s milk to breast milk and avoiding other behaviors that stimulate these genes may delay the onset of the disease, similar to some patients who only show symptoms and are diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes during adolescence or adulthood.
For Type 2 diabetes, the doctor recommends that parents manage their child’s diet to avoid excessive intake of carbohydrates or sugar and encourage regular exercise, which helps insulin work effectively.
In addition to the warning signs mentioned above, the doctor also advises that children aged 10 and above with a family history of diabetes and/or obesity should undergo diabetes screening to be aware of risk trends and prevent severe acute complications.
Dr. Nualphong Rianmanee
Specialist in Pediatric Endocrinology and Metabolism
Child and Adolescent Health Center, Phyathai 2 Hospital
