Diabetes in infants is a serious condition in which the body cannot produce enough insulin or cannot produce it at all, and the baby's blood sugar rises as a result. Diabetes in infants is almost always type 1, not type 2, according to Baby Center. One in every 400 to 600 children develop type 1 diabetes.
Causes
Diabetes in infants frequently has a hereditary component, with children of parents with type 1 diabetes being more likely to develop the condition themselves. According to Kellymom, there may also be a connection between the timing of the introduction of solids and the development of type 1 diabetes in genetically susceptible babies. Specifically, the introduction of baby cereals containing rice or gluten before 3 months of age or after 7 months of age may increase the risk of the development of type 1 diabetes, although researchers need to perform more studies to confirm these data.
Symptoms
An infant with diabetes will generally exhibit increased thirst and more frequent urination than normal. The baby may eat more but may also have unexplained weight loss. Some infants with diabetes develop a fruity or sweet odor to their breath. If the baby develops high blood sugar, he may experience vomiting, lethargy or unconsciousness.
Response
Parents who suspect that their baby may have diabetes should report their concerns to the child's pediatrician as soon as possible. If the infant is exhibiting signs of high blood sugar, she should be taken to the emergency room and may need to be placed on an IV and admitted to intensive care.
Home Treatment
A baby with type 1 diabetes will need to have insulin injections and blood monitoring multiple times each day. A doctor can advise parents on the specific timing of monitoring and injections. Because it is impractical to bring the child in for shots so often, it is the parents' responsibility to administer insulin and monitor blood glucose at home. Parents should also discuss specific dietary recommendations with the baby's pediatrician, because food choices can affect the development of the disease.
Considerations
Parents of a child with diabetes may want to administer insulin immediately after a feeding; it is sometimes difficult to make an infant eat afterward, and he may need to raise his blood sugar in response to the shot. Caretakers and babysitters should also be trained in administering insulin shots and monitoring blood sugar in case the need arises. The Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation provides resources and support for parents of children with diabetes.
Monogenetic Diabetes
One rare form of diabetes, which makes up 1 to 5 percent of all childhood diabetes, is called monogenetic diabetes. In monogenetic diabetes, only one gene is involved, explains the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse. A neonatal form of monogenetic diabetes may develop within the first 6 months of life. Some variants may be treatable with oral medication, not insulin shots, so parents of infants with diabetes should ask for a genetic test to rule out this possibility. Some infants with neonatal monogenetic diabetes may outgrow the condition as they get older.
References
- Baby Center: Diabetes
- Parenting: Our Baby Has Diabetes
- Kellymom: Is baby's risk for type I diabetes increased if solids are introduced before 3 months or after 6 months?
- Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation: Caring for an Infant with Diabetes
- National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse: Monogenetic Forms of Diabetes
