Juvenile diabetes is used to label Type 1 diabetes that occurs in children or young adults. Type 1 diabetes can appear at any time in an individual's life but it is more likely to appear in childhood. This type of diabetes occurs because the pancreas does not make insulin, a hormone that helps glucose reach the cells and give them energy, explains MedlinePlus. Without insulin, glucose levels in the blood increase creating a wide variety of symptoms.
Increased Urination
The KidsHealth website indicates a toddler may urinate frequently as the body attempts to get rid of the excess sugar via the urine. The frequent urine output may be small or large. Caregivers may notice an increase in wet diapers, potty-training accidents only involving urine or bed-wetting after some success in nighttime potty-training.
Thirst and Hunger
As a result of frequent urination a toddler will develop an increased need for fluids. The child may request a drink frequently or seem as if no beverage quenches her thirst. The same is true with food; the toddler may have a large appetite or may eat small amounts of food frequently throughout the day due to the body's inability to get energy from the glucose found in foods.
Fatigue
A child with diabetes may become tired easily because the body can't obtain energy appropriately from the glucose in foods. Playing or exerting any amount of energy can lead a toddler to be unusually fatigued.
Weight Loss
A toddler may lose weight for no apparent reason as a result of Type 1 diabetes. This can be a minor or significant amount of weight. The KidsHealth website explains that this is due to the body beginning to use fat and muscle for fuel because it becomes unable to process sugar normally.
Skin Changes
Dry, itchy skin can develop with diabetes. An open wound or sore on the toddler's skin may heal slowly. The child may experience more frequent skin infections at the site of even minor wounds. This is a result of the blood being more saturated with sugar, a food source for bacteria and yeast. The National Institutes of Health points out that a child may experience tingling or a loss of feeling in the feet.
Vision Changes
Blurred vision is a symptom of Type 1 diabetes. This can be recognized in a toddler if she states objects appear fuzzy or appears to miss details when looking at something.
Moodiness
MayoClinic.com suggests a toddler with diabetes may become unusually irritable or moody. This can also be associated with the fatigue caused by diabetes.
Frequent Yeast Infections
Yeast infections occur normally in children, especially during the diaper years. Young girls who get frequent vaginal yeast infections may have type 1 diabetes, according to MayoClinic.com. This is a result of increased sugar in the vaginal secretions that feed the yeast allowing them to reproduce rapidly. A yeast infection in a child with diabetes can become more severe than a normal case. Symptoms include puffiness, redness and tenderness at the sight of the skin rash.
