More than 29 million Americans are living with diabetes and unfortunately, children are at increasing risk of developing the disease. Here’s what you need to know about juvenile diabetes:

Type 1 diabetes in children is an autoimmune condition in which the pancreas makes little to no insulin, causing sugar in the body to be high. Here are signs that your child might have type 1 diabetes:

– increased thirst
– frequent urination and usually a large volume
– unintentional weight loss
– fatigue
– irritability or behavior changes
– fruity smelling breath

Type 2 diabetes in children is a chronic condition that affects how the body processes sugar. In type 2 diabetes, the body develops resistance to insulin. When the body is not able to process sugar in the body correctly, sugar builds up, causing significant health consequences. If your child has type 2 diabetes, they may show the following symptoms:

– increased thirst and frequent urination
– fatigue
– blurry vision
– darkened areas of the skin

– weight loss – more common in children with type 1 diabetes

If you have any suspicion that your child might have diabetes, please speak with your CPCMG pediatrician.