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Meet the caregivers who provide support to children with type 1 diabetes

What is diabetes in children?

Diabetes in children occurs when the body struggles to control blood glucose levels, leading to high blood sugar (hyperglycaemia)1

The two main types of diabetes

  • Type 1 diabetes in children – It is also known as juvenile diabetes or type 1 juvenile diabetes. Type 1 is an autoimmune condition that occurs when the body’s immune system mistakenly attacks the pancreas, stopping it from making insulin. This type is more common in children and can result in hyperglycaemia1.
  • Type 2 diabetes - Once seen mainly in adults, type 2 is now appearing in children too2. It develops when the body becomes resistant to insulin or doesn’t use it properly and is usually linked to obesity, lifestyle and genetic factors2. Children can also experience hypertension as a complication of type 2 diabetes2.

While both conditions affect blood sugar and can exhibit some similar symptoms, type 1 diabetes in children usually requires insulin from the time of diagnosis3. Depending on the severity of the condition, Type 2 can sometimes be managed with healthy lifestyle changes. However medication is normally also required as part of a child’s treatment plan2.

Causes and risk factors for diabetes in children

There are both similarities and differences in the causes of type 1 and type 2 diabetes in children.

Causes of type 1 diabetes in children

  • Autoimmune reaction - the immune system attacks the islet cells in the pancreas that produce insulin1.
  • Genetics - family history plays a role. A child with a close relative who has type 1 diabetes has a higher chance of developing it1.
  • Environmental triggers - viral infections and other unknown factors may trigger the immune response, although the exact cause is not fully understood1.

It’s important to note that type 1 diabetes in children cannot be prevented. However, factors such as diet, lifestyle, or consuming too much sugar should be carefully managed to help prevent long-term complications1,4.

Causes and risk factors for type 2 diabetes in children

  • Insulin resistance - the body becomes less responsive to insulin, leading to high blood sugar2.
  • Lifestyle factors - being overweight, having an unhealthy diet, and low levels of physical activity all increase risk2.
  • Family history - type 2 diabetes often runs in families2.
  • Ethnicity - children of African, South Asian, or Hispanic heritage may have a higher risk2.

Healthy habits can lower the risk of developing type 2 diabetes in children. Balanced nutrition - including carbohydrate counting to help prevent childhood obesity, staying active, and maintaining a healthy weight all make a difference2.

Symptoms to watch for in your child

Understanding what diabetes symptoms to look out for in your child is vital, so you can get them the medical support they need quickly and when required.

Common warning signs of type 1 diabetes in children

  • Increased thirst and needing to urinate more often
  • Unexplained weight loss, even with normal eating
  • Extreme tiredness and lack of energy
  • Vision problems
  • More frequent infections or slower healing of cuts and grazes
  • Fruity smelling breath
  • Irritability or changes in mood - parents and caregivers should be alert to signs and symptoms of type 1 that might otherwise be mistaken for normal childhood behaviour5,6.

In type 1 diabetes, these symptoms may appear over just a few days or weeks and worsen quickly, making urgent medical care essential5,6.

Symptoms of type 2 diabetes in children

The symptoms of young people with type 2 diabetes are broadly the same as for type 1, but they often develop more slowly and can be less noticeable. This means they may build up over weeks or months rather than appearing suddenly5.

If you notice any of the symptoms listed in the above section present in your child, please contact your doctor to arrange an appointment. At the appointment your doctor can carry out an assessment, including a review of your family’s medical history and blood glucose test, to confirm whether or not your child has type 2 diabetes5.

Children living with diabetes

If your child is diagnosed with type 1 or type 2 diabetes it may at first feel overwhelming for them and your family, especially considering the potential for various health problems. However, with the right support and management, including attention to environmental factors and mental health, children living with diabetes can still lead healthy, active, and fulfilling lives, which is crucial to avoid additional life threatening risks like heart disease and kidney disease1,2.

Daily management and routines

  • Blood sugar monitoring - using finger-prick tests or continuous glucose monitors helps children and families track glucose levels throughout the day1,5.
  • Insulin treatment - for type 1 diabetes, insulin injections or pumps are part of daily life1,3.
  • Medications – in some cases of type 2 diabetes in older children, doctors may prescribe GLP-1 medicines or SGLT2 inhibitors to help the body manage blood sugar more effectively2.
  • Balanced diet and activity - meals and snacks need to be planned to keep blood sugar steady, and regular exercise helps improve energy and mood1,2.

Emotional and social support

Children with diabetes may sometimes feel different from their peers, especially when needing to check blood sugar or take a blood glucose test to manage low blood sugar and insulin multiple times during school or social activities. Parents, teachers, and healthcare teams can help by:

  • Encouraging open conversations about diabetes
  • Offering reassurance that diabetes does not define who they are
  • Supporting participation in school, sports, and social life
  • Providing, if required, access to counselling or other support groups to help children manage the psychological aspect of living with diabetes

With consistent care, a diabetes diagnosis does not need to hold your child back from living a full and active life. Many kids with type 1 diabetes thrive in education, sports, and friendships just like their peers1.

FAQs

Can a child live a normal life with diabetes?

Yes. With the right care and support, children with diabetes can live full, healthy, and active lives. Managing diabetes means keeping blood sugar in balance through a combination of healthy eating, regular exercise, blood sugar monitoring, and (for type 1 diabetes) daily insulin to ensure enough insulin is present. At first, this can feel overwhelming, but over time it becomes part of a normal routine.

At what age can a child get diabetes?

A child can develop diabetes at any age, from infancy through their teenage years. Type 1 diabetes is the most common form in children and often appears suddenly, usually between ages 4 and 14, but it can be diagnosed in babies and toddlers as well. Type 2 diabetes, which used to be seen mainly in adults, is now increasingly found in older children and teenagers, especially those who are overweight or have a family history of the condition.

How long can a child have diabetes without knowing?

It depends on the type of diabetes. Type 1 diabetes often develops quickly, and symptoms such as thirst, frequent urination, or weight loss can appear within just a few weeks. Because it progresses fast, it usually does not go unnoticed for very long before a child becomes very unwell and needs medical care. Type 2 diabetes, on the other hand, can develop more slowly, and some children may have it for months - or even years - without clear symptoms.

For more information you may find helpful, visit the below pages

Tips for talking to your teenager
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Tips for talking to your teenager

How to support and communicate with your teenager as they take on more T1D responsibilities, plus tips for raising teens with diabetes.

What I wish you knew about T1D
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What I wish you knew about T1D

The top 10 things your friends and family should know about type 1 diabetes for them to responsibly care for your child with type 1 diabetes.

Type 1 diabetes – What’s going on in your body?
7 min. read

Type 1 diabetes – What’s going on in your body?

How talking to your child with diabetes about their condition helps spread knowledge to other caregivers and eventually leads to type 1 diabetes independence.

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References
  1. Los, E. and Wilt, A.S. (2017). Type 1 diabetes in children. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK441918/ [Accessed 13 Sept. 2025].
  2. Pinhas-Hamiel, O. and Zeitler, P. (2023). Type 2 diabetes in children and adolescents - a focus on diagnosis and treatment. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK597439/ [Accessed 13 Sept. 2025].
  3. Diabetes UK. Injecting insulin and children. Available at: https://www.diabetes.org.uk/living-with-diabetes/life-with-diabetes/children-and-diabetes/insulin-and-your-child [Accessed 13 Sept. 2025].
  4. American Diabetes Association. (2022). Glycemic targets: Standards of medical care in diabetes-2022. Diabetes Care, 45(Suppl. 1), S83-S96. doi:10.2337/dc22-S006 
  5. Diabetes UK. Symptoms of diabetes in children. Available at: https://www.diabetes.org.uk/living-with-diabetes/life-with-diabetes/children-and-diabetes/symptoms [Accessed 13 Sept. 2025].
  6. NHS. Symptoms of type 1 diabetes and how it's diagnosed. Available at: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/type-1-diabetes/symptoms/ [Accessed 13 Sept. 2025].