Diabetes is a disease in which insulin, the hormone responsible for blood sugar regulation, does not work effectively in the body. Type 1 diabetes, also called juvenile diabetes, occurs when the body does not make enough insulin to convert food to energy. Type 2 diabetes, also known as adult-onset diabetes, occurs when the body makes enough insulin, but it works ineffectively. Type 2 diabetes is affecting more children due to obesity and family history of the disease. Both types of diabetes can cause similar symptoms in children.
Thirst and Hunger
The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation advises that increased thirst and appetite are symptoms of diabetes in children. Blood sugar may be too high or too low during diabetes. The body responds to high blood sugar by attempting to dilute it from the blood. Fluid is pulled from body tissues into the blood stream. Signals are sent to the brain to take in more fluids to replace what is used and to help flush the excess blood sugar from the body. Blood sugar that is too high may render the body unable to effectively regulate blood sugar and insulin for fuel. Food is not properly converted into energy and a child may feel increasingly hungry.
Increased Urination
KidsHealth from Nemours notes that a child with untreated diabetes needs to urinate more often in response to increased fluid intake. Increased fluids and frequent urination become a cycle. Children who are not toilet trained may have more wet diapers than usual, while toilet-trained children may wet themselves or run to the restroom frequently. Urine may smell sweet from excess amounts of sugar flushed from the body. A child with changes in urinary habits, especially if combined with other diabetes symptoms, should be medically evaluated to check for the disease.
Weight Loss and Fatigue
A child with uncontrolled diabetes may experience weight loss, even if she has been eating more than usual. Imbalanced blood sugar and insulin levels may cause the body to begin burning fat and muscle tissue for energy. This process signals increased hunger, and while a child may eat more, his body continually burns fat stores which results in weight loss. A child with diabetes may also feel fatigue and have a loss of interest in play or activities. She may sleep more than usual. MayoClinic.com states that children with diabetes may also be moody or irritable in response to low energy levels.
