Type 1 Diabetes: Children Living With The Disease: Symptoms

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Symptoms

Because your child has type 1 diabetes, he or she will experience high and low blood sugar levels from time to time. High blood sugar usually develops slowly over hours or days, so you can treat the symptoms before they become severe and require medical attention. On the other hand, your child's blood sugar level can drop to dangerously low levels in minutes.

Be alert for:

• Symptoms of low blood sugar, which include sweating, weakness, and hunger.
• Symptoms of high blood sugar, which include increased thirst and increased urination.

How can I tell the difference?

Sometimes it's hard to distinguish between high and low blood sugar symptoms, especially if your child is very young. Test your child's blood sugar whenever you think it may be high or low so that you can treat it appropriately. If your child has symptoms of very high blood sugar, such as a fruity breath odor, vomiting, and abdominal pain, seek emergency care. These symptoms may indicate diabetic ketoacidosis, which is a life-threatening emergency.

Last updated:	January 19, 2007
Author:	Robin Parks, MS
Reviewed By:	Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics, Alan C. Dalkin, MD - Endocrinology
Editors:	Kathleen M. Ariss, MS, Pat Truman, MATC