Diabetes is one of the most common chronic childhood diseases.
In the United States about 125,000 youth (younger than age 19)
have diabetes and about 13,000 new cases are found each year.
Most children with diabetes go to school or day care and need
trained staff to provide a safe environment.

What is diabetes?

Diabetes is a serious disease that stops the body from making
or properly using insulin, a hormone needed to change sugar,
starches, and other food into energy required for daily life.

Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is an immune system disease where the body
makes little or no insulin. It usually begins in childhood or teens.
Children with type 1 diabetes need daily insulin shots to help
their bodies use food. Type 1 diabetes often runs in families,
and whites have a higher rate of type 1 diabetes than other
racial groups.

Warning Signs of Type 1 Diabetes (These symptoms may come
on suddenly):

Extreme thirst

Frequent urination

Drowsiness, lethargy

Sugar in urine

Sudden vision changes

Increased appetite

Sudden weight loss

Fruity, sweet, or wine-like odor or breath

Heavy, labored breathing

Stupor, unconsciousness

Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is a disease where the body cannot make
enough, or can’t properly use, insulin. Although this form of
diabetes usually occurs most often in adults, it is becoming
more common in youth. The average age of diagnosis of type 2
diabetes in youth is 12-14 years. It is more common among girls
than boys. The number of children with newly diagnosed type 2
diabetes has risen since 1994.

Warning Signs of Type 2 Diabetes (Youth with type 2 diabetes
can have some or all of the following signs and symptoms. Some
youth with type 2 diabetes will have no symptoms.):

Frequent urination

Unusual thirst

Extreme hunger

Extreme tiredness

Irritability

Slow healing of wounds or sores

Tingling or numbness in hands or feet

Itching

Blurred vision

Acanthosis nigricans (dark, velvety patches on the
skin around the neck or in the armpits)

High blood pressure