Diabetes in Children and Teens

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Summary

Until recently, the common type of diabetes in children and teens was type 1. It was called juvenile diabetes. With Type 1 diabetes, the pancreas does not make insulin. Insulin is a hormone that helps glucose,or sugar, get into your cells to give them energy. Without insulin, too much sugar stays in the blood.

Now younger people are also getting type 2 diabetes. Type 2 diabetes used to be called adult-onset diabetes. But now it is becoming more common in children and teens, due to more obesity. With Type 2 diabetes, the body does not make or use insulin well.

Children have a higher risk of type 2 diabetes if they are overweight or have obesity, have a family history of diabetes, or are not active. Children who are African American, Hispanic, Native American/Alaska Native, Asian American, or Pacific Islander also have a higher risk. To lower the risk of type 2 diabetes in children:

Have them maintain a healthy weight
Be sure they are physically active
Have them eat smaller portions of healthy foods
Limit time with the TV, computer, and video

Children and teens with type 1 diabetes may need to take insulin. Type 2 diabetes may be controlled with diet and exercise. If not, patients will need to take oral diabetes medicines or insulin. A blood test called the A1C can check on how you are managing your diabetes.

Start Here

What Is Type 1 Diabetes? (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish
What Is Type 2 Diabetes? (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish

Diagnosis and Tests

A1C: MedlinePlus Health Topic (National Library of Medicine) Also in Spanish
Diabetes Tests and Diagnosis (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases) Also in Spanish
Ketones in Blood (National Library of Medicine) Also in Spanish
Ketones in Urine (National Library of Medicine) Also in Spanish

Prevention and Risk Factors

Managing Diabetes (National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases) Also in Spanish
Preventing Type 2 Diabetes in Kids (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) Also in Spanish