Understanding Pediatric Diabetes: Types, Causes, and Symptoms

Many people associate diabetes with older adults who are overweight and have poor diets, but this disease can also affect young children. Over 350,000 people under the age of 20 have diabetes according to the American Diabetes Association. Learn about pediatric diabetes including symptoms and treatment when you visit a doctor at Timberlake Pediatrics in Sacramento, CA.

Pediatric Diabetes: Types and Causes

Pediatric diabetes can be caused by a congenital disorder that is related to an autoimmune disease that affects the pancreatic cells that create insulin. In other cases, particularly for older children, it may be related to poor diet (especially too much sugar consumption) and excess weight. These explain the two different kinds of pediatric diabetes cases: type 1 and type 2. If diagnosed with type 1 (often called juvenile diabetes), the child’s case is usually caused by an autoimmune disorder. For type 2, the child is likely affected by lifestyle issues. Children who have a family history of diabetes may be more prone to developing this disease.

Symptoms of Pediatric Diabetes

Pediatric diabetes will normally be diagnosed by your Sacramento, CA, pediatrician through blood tests at your child's well visits from birth. A child who has pediatric diabetes may experience the following symptoms:

• Always hungry or thirsty.
• Vision problems.
• Extreme fatigue, dizziness, and difficulty concentrating.
• Urinating very often.
• Numbness in the extremities (feet and hands).
• Wounds or cuts that don’t heal normally.

How Pediatric Diabetes Is Treated

Many cases of pediatric diabetes are treated successfully with medication management. Children must take insulin medication to control and level their glucose levels. Dietary management is also key. Your doctor can provide specific nutritional guidance to ensure that your child is eating the right foods and prioritizing physical activity for good health.

Get Help Managing Pediatric Diabetes

Managing a case of diabetes in a young child requires patience, knowledge, and help from an experienced professional. Seek help from a pediatrician at Timberlake Pediatrics in Sacramento, CA, by calling (916) 688-5040.