Cases of diabetes are rising in kids. Here are symptoms to watch for in your child

Type 1 diabetes remains a relatively rare disease throughout the U.S., but its prevalence is increasing. Type 1 diabetics need insulin to survive, so if your child has developed Type 1 diabetes, they will quickly begin to display symptoms. Without treatment, people with Type 1 diabetes can quickly experience full body failure.

There are some symptoms parents can watch for that could indicate a new case of Type 1 diabetes. Dr. Priya Bui, a Fort Worth pediatrician, said parents should get their child’s blood sugar checked if they notice any of the following symptoms:

• Urinating frequently and more often than usual

• Feeling very thirsty

• Abdominal pain

• Vomiting

• Altered mental status

• Change in mood

• Increased fatigue

If you suspect that your child might have diabetes, you should take them to their pediatrician’s office for a checkup.

Type 1 diabetes can develop within a few weeks or a few months, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Type 1 diabetes usually develops in children or teenagers, but it is possible for it to develop in adults. There is no known prevention for Type 1 diabetes.

Children with Type 2 diabetes might also experience darker skin around the back of their neck, which can indicate insulin resistance starting in the body, Bui said. Type 2 diabetes is less common in children and historically was known as “adult-onset diabetes,” but it is becoming increasingly common among children and teenagers.