About type-1 diabetes

In type-1 diabetes, the pancreas makes little or no insulin.

This is a problem because insulin is a hormone that normally helps turn glucose into energy for the body.

When the body can’t turn glucose into energy, glucose builds up in blood. This is the high blood sugar that most people think of when they hear about diabetes. High blood sugar creates a lot of health problems unless it’s treated.

Type-1 diabetes is an autoimmune disease. In type-1 diabetes, the immune system attacks the cells in the pancreas that make insulin, which stops these cells from working.

Type-1 diabetes is different from type-2 diabetes, which is often linked to lifestyle factors.

Type-1 diabetes is the most common chronic condition in childhood.

Signs and symptoms of type-1 diabetes

The symptoms of type-1 diabetes usually develop suddenly over a period of days – or sometimes hours. They can develop over weeks too.

Early signs and symptoms of type-1 diabetes include:

• urinating more than usual or having heavier or more wet nappies than usual
• bed-wetting in your previously ‘dry’ child
• increased thirst and the desire to drink more than usual
• weight loss
• tiredness
• mood changes or increased irritability
• blurred vision.

Some other possible signs or symptoms include:

• fruity-smelling breath
• oral thrush, vaginal thrush or skin infections
• extreme hunger
• dehydration.

You might also notice your child not doing as well as usual at school, because they’re not feeling well.

If early symptoms of type-1 diabetes aren’t picked up and treated, or diabetes comes on quickly, your child might also experience nausea, vomiting and stomach pain.

When there’s high sugar in the blood, the kidneys try to flush it out in urine. This is why children and teenagers with type-1 diabetes might urinate more. And because the body is making a lot of urine to try to get rid of the sugar, it’s also using and losing a lot of water. This is why children and teenagers can get dehydrated.

Medical help: when to get it for children and teenagers with type-1 diabetes symptoms

If your child has any of the symptoms of type-1 diabetes, see your GP.

A child with type-1 diabetes can become very unwell very quickly. Take your child to a hospital emergency department or call 000 for an ambulance straight away if you notice any of the following symptoms in your child:

• panting
• confusion
• drowsiness.

These symptoms might point to a condition called diabetic ketoacidosis. It can be life-threatening, so your child needs immediate medical attention.

Tests for type-1 diabetes

Your GP can diagnose diabetes in your child by doing a finger-prick blood test and a urine test, and by looking at your child’s symptoms.

If there’s glucose in your child’s urine and/or a high level of glucose in their blood, your GP will send your child to your nearest emergency department.

If your GP doesn’t diagnose diabetes but you’re still worried about your child or their symptoms are getting worse, go to your nearest emergency department.

Treatment for type-1 diabetes

There’s currently no cure for type-1 diabetes.

If your child has type-1 diabetes, your child can manage their condition successfully and live a healthy life by keeping their blood sugar levels within a target range.

Your child can keep their blood sugar within this target range by:

• injecting insulin 2-4 times a day or by using a 24-hour insulin pump
• eating certain foods in the right amounts and at the right times
• doing regular physical activity.

Your child will have a team of diabetes health professionals to care for them and help them learn how to manage their diabetes. These professionals usually include diabetes nurse educators, dietitians, endocrinologists, psychologists and social workers. They’ll:

• teach you and your child how to measure your child’s blood sugar
• explain what to do when the blood sugar goes outside the target range
• teach you and your child how to inject insulin or use an insulin pump
• teach you and your child about healthy eating and exercise
• talk about your child’s diagnosis and ongoing treatment.

Preventing complications from type-1 diabetes

You can lower your child’s risk of complications from type-1 diabetes by keeping your child’s blood sugar levels within the target range most of the time.

High blood sugar levels can lead to short-term complications like diabetic ketoacidosis as well as long-term complications like nerve damage, kidney damage, vision problems, heart disease or stroke.

Low blood sugar levels can lead to drowsiness, aggression, unconsciousness or seizure.

Causes of type-1 diabetes

We don’t know what triggers type-1 diabetes, although genes play a role. Viruses, puberty, rapid growth and stress might also be triggers.

Most children and teenagers with diabetes have type-1 diabetes. Type-1 diabetes is most commonly diagnosed in children aged 10-14 years and rarely in children under one year.