Diabetes in Children

Posted: Nov. 1, 2004

Diabetes is one of the most serious health problems facing the world today. In the United States each year, more than 13,000 children are diagnosed with type 1 diabetes.

Increasingly, health care providers are finding more and more children and teens with type 2 diabetes, a disease usually seen in people over age 40. African American, Hispanic/Latino and American Indian children who are obese and have a family history of type 2 diabetes are at especially high risk for this type of diabetes.

Symptoms
Type 2 diabetes develops slowly in some children, but quickly in others. A child or teen can feel very tired, thirsty, or nauseated (sick to the stomach), and have to urinate often. Other symptoms may include weight loss, blurred vision, frequent infections and slow healing of wounds or sores.

Some children or adolescents with type 2 diabetes may show no symptoms at all when they are diagnosed. For that reason, it is important for parents to talk to a health care provider about testing children or teens who are at high risk for the disease.

What are concerns for children with diabetes?
Diabetes presents unique issues for children and teens with the disease. Simple things — like going to a birthday party, playing sports, or staying overnight with friends — need careful planning.

Every day, children with diabetes may need to take insulin or oral medication. They also need to check their blood glucose several times during the day and remember to make correct food choices. For school-age children, these tasks can make them feel "different" from their classmates. These tasks can be particularly bothersome for teens.

For any child or teen with diabetes, learning to cope with the disease is a big job. Dealing with a chronic illness such as diabetes may cause emotional and behavioral challenges. Talking to a social worker or psychologist may help a child and his or her family learn to adjust to the lifestyle changes that are needed to stay healthy.

What can families and others do?
Managing diabetes in children and adolescents is most effective when the entire family makes a team effort. Families can share concerns with physicians, diabetes educators, dietitians and other health care providers to get their help in the day-to-day management of diabetes.

Extended family members, teachers, school nurses, counselors, coaches, day care providers or other resources in the community can provide information, support, guidance and help with coping skills.

Special concerns
Diabetes is stressful for both the children and their families. Parents should be alert for signs of depression or eating disorders and seek appropriate treatment.

While all parents should talk to their children about avoiding tobacco, alcohol and other drugs, this is particularly important for children with diabetes.

Smoking and diabetes each increase the risk of cardiovascular disease and people with diabetes who smoke have a greatly increased risk of heart disease and circulatory problems.

Binge drinking can increase the risk of hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) and symptoms of hypoglycemia can be mistaken for those of intoxication and not properly treated.

Local peer groups for children and teens with diabetes can provide positive role models and group activities.

Are there legal considerations for children with diabetes?
Several federal and state laws provide protections to children with disabilities, including children or teens with diabetes. These children must have full access to public programs, including public schools, and to most private schools as well. Students with diabetes are entitled to accommodations and modifications necessary for them to stay healthy at school and have the same access to an education as other students do.

The school should prepare a plan that outlines how the child's special health care needs will be met. The plan should identify school staff responsible for making sure the plan is followed. The parents should be present during development of the plan. Any changes to the plan should be made only with the parents' consent. Ideally, the plan should be updated every year.

Source: National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases

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