Juvenile diabetes is a form of type 1 diabetes that affects babies, toddlers and older kids. The disease hampers the body’s ability to effectively process sugar and left unmanaged, can lead to organ damage.
If you’ve traditionally thought of diabetes as a disease that strikes people ripe with age, it’s time you became acquainted with juvenile diabetes. By knowing its symptoms, you can safeguard your child against its health risks.
Juvenile diabetes is a form of type 1 diabetes, occurring usually seen in children 4-6 years of age and rarely even infants. that disrupts the body’s sugar processing mechanism by destroying insulin-producing cells. Without insulin, sugar levels spiral and can go on to cause serious organ damage.
Typical symptoms of juvenile diabetes include:
With effective management, juvenile diabetes can be controlled, and serious risks abated. If you’re worried, seek comfort in knowing that the disease doesn’t have to come in the way of your child’s day-to-day life. He or she can still be active, play sports and live life on the go.
Must read - Everything you need to know about diabetes in children
Experts haven’t yet established what causes juvenile diabetes, although there is a consensus that it may be an autoimmune condition, caused by the body mistakenly taking insulin-producing cells to be foreign bodies.
Of course, babies with a family history of type 1 diabetes are more likely to develop juvenile diabetes, but most kids with the condition have no such genetic profile.
Diagnosing type 1 diabetes is fairly straightforward. Your paediatrician will likely take your baby’s blood sample with a painless finger or heel prick, and check their blood sugar level. A level over 200 mg/dL could be a sign that your child has diabetes. If your doctor suspects the disease, you may be advised some other tests to gain a confirmed diagnosis.
Unfortunately, type 1 diabetes cannot be prevented – and there is no permanent cure as yet, but can be effectively managed with daily insulin therapy. – and kids with the condition must learn how to exercise precaution and manage the disease on their own.
If you’re a new momma struggling to deal with a diabetes diagnosis for your little munchkin, it’s natural to feel overwhelmed. Hang in there and be thankful that you’ve caught it early. Take this time to build a support system – a Paediatric endocrinologist, who are specialists in this field of medicine. – who can give you comfort and guide you through your child’s early years?
Also, consider joining a support group to meet kindred souls in similar circumstances. Research apps that help monitor and track blood sugar. By encircling yourself in medical and emotional support, you can gain a better understanding of juvenile diabetes and give yourself confidence that you’re not alone.
Must Read - Causes behind childhood obesity
Want to consult the Best Pediatricians in India? Please find the links below.
