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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.
Diagnosis and Tests
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A1C: MedlinePlus Health Topic
(National Library of Medicine) Also in Spanish
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Diabetes Tests and Diagnosis
(National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases) Also in Spanish
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Ketones in Blood
(National Library of Medicine) Also in Spanish
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Ketones in Urine
(National Library of Medicine) Also in Spanish
Prevention and Risk Factors
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Managing Diabetes
(National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases) Also in Spanish
- Prevent Type 2 Diabetes in Kids (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention)
Treatments and Therapies
- Medicines for Diabetes (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish
- Treating Type 2 Diabetes (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish
- Type 1 Diabetes: How Is It Treated? (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish
Living With
- Carbohydrates and Diabetes (For Parents) (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish
- Diabetes -- Know When to Go to the ER (American College of Emergency Physicians)
- Managing Blood Sugars When Your Child Has Type 1 Diabetes (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish
- Meal Plans and Diabetes (For Parents) (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish
Related Issues
- Acanthosis Nigricans (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish
- Making Fingersticks and Insulin Shots Easier for Kids With Diabetes (Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish
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Monogenic Forms of Diabetes: Neonatal Diabetes Mellitus and Maturity-Onset Diabetes of the Young
(National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)
Videos and Tutorials
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Understanding Diabetes
(Nemours Foundation) Also in Spanish
Test Your Knowledge
- Type 2 Diabetes Facts Quiz (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
Statistics and Research
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Two Diabetes Medications Don't Slow Progression of Type 2 Diabetes in Youth
(National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)
Clinical Trials
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ClinicalTrials.gov: Diabetes in Children and Teens
(National Institutes of Health)
Journal Articles References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)
Find an Expert
- American Diabetes Association
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National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
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NIDDK Information Clearinghouses and Health Information Center
(National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases)
Patient Handouts
- A1C test (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
- Blood sugar test (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
- Giving an insulin injection (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
- Type 1 diabetes (Medical Encyclopedia) Also in Spanish
The information on this site should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or advice. Contact a health care provider if you have questions about your health.