On this page:
- Type 1 diabetes symptoms in children
- Type 2 diabetes symptoms in children
- What to do if you think your child has diabetes
- If symptoms of diabetes in children are missed
Type 1 diabetes symptoms in children
The most common symptoms of type 1 diabetes in children can be remembered as the 4Ts: Toilet, Thirsty, Tired and Thinner:
- Toilet - Going to the toilet a lot to wee, or heavier nappies. Your child might wet the bed having previously been dry or night, or getting up in the night to go to the toilet. A teacher might tell you they’re asking to go to the toilet a lot during lessons.
- Thirsty - Being really thirsty and not being able to quench it. Your child may ask for a drink more often, finish drinks very quickly or you may notice they generally drink more. They might also want to drink at night. A baby might want to feed more.
- Tired - Feeling more tired than usual. A baby or toddler might take more or longer naps, or your child might have less energy than normal or not play as often and have less energy for sports. They might have reduced concentration affecting them at school, or experience behaviour changes such as feeling more irritable.
- Thinner - Your child may feel or look thinner when you’re getting them dressed or their clothes may feel looser.
You may also notice your child getting more infections than usual like thrush or nappy rash. There may also be changes in your child's behaviour like irritability. Other symptoms can include blurred vision, cuts and wounds that take longer to heal. You might also notice that their wee smells sweet.
The symptoms of type 1 diabetes tend to come on within a matter of days or weeks and you should get urgent medical help if you notice any of these symptoms.
The most common type of diabetes in children is type 1 diabetes. But children can also develop type 2 diabetes or another type of diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes symptoms in children
The symptoms of type 2 diabetes in children are the same as they are for type 1 diabetes, but they may be less obvious and develop more slowly, for example over weeks or months. You may still notice some of the symptoms listed above.
Research has shown that there are several risk factors for developing type 2 diabetes. These include ethnicity, genetics, and lifestyle. In some cases type 2 diabetes can be prevented, unlike type 1 diabetes.
What to do if you think your child has diabetes
If your child has any of the above signs or symptoms of diabetes, you should take them straight to the doctor and insist on a blood glucose test.
If a quick and simple finger prick test shows high blood sugar levels, your GP will refer your child to a specialist diabetes team or hospital and a blood test will be sent to the laboratory to diagnose diabetes.
If symptoms of diabetes in children are missed
Too many children and young people are not diagnosed with type 1 diabetes until they are showing symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), a life-threatening condition that requires urgent medical attention. Read about the symptoms of DKA.
If a child has type 2 diabetes and it isn’t diagnosed for a long time, or they also become unwell with an infection, they may be at risk of something called hyperosmolar hyperglycaemic state (HHS), which is also a life-threatening complication of diabetes that requires urgent medical attention.
If your child is diagnosed with diabetes, we’re here to support you. We have lots of information and if you have any questions, you can speak to one of our trained advisors on our helpline.
