Diabetes In Children

Diabetes in children is also known as juvenile diabetes,

but more commonly known as type 1 diabetes. It is the most

common form of diabetes in children with ninety to

ninety-five percent of carriers being under 16.

Juvenile diabetes is caused by the inability of the

pancreas to produce insulin. It is an autoimmune disease,

which means the bodies own defense system attacks the

body’s tissues or organs.

In the last 30 years the number of juvenile diabetes had

increased three times over and in Europe and the US we are

now seeing type 2 diabetes in children for the first time.

Obesity easily explains type 2, but not why there is such a

rise in type 1 diabetes in children. It is believed that a

mixture of genetics and environmental factors are what

triggers juvenile diabetes. But the majority of children

don’t have a family history of diabetes.

The symptoms for juvenile diabetes are the same as in

adults. Thirst, weight loss, fatigue, frequent urination is

typical, but diabetes in children can also increase stomach

pains, headaches and behavior problems.