Infant Diabetes Symptoms

Anyone can have diabetes, even infants. When an infant is born, part of the routine check up by the neonatologist or the pediatrician is a test for blood glucose levels.

This check can raise a red flag regarding not only diabetes, but other conditions such as Down syndrome or Turner syndrome. A difficult delivery, an umbilical cord wrapped around the baby’s neck or any circumstance that restricts an infant's oxygen supply can also affect blood sugar levels.

Though infants can develop both type 1 and type 2 diabetes, it is usually type 2 diabetes that goes unnoticed in infancy because the pancreas is producing some insulin and infants eat so often that there may not be any recognizable symptoms.

Dehydration

Infant diabetes symptoms can include dehydration—infants and toddlers have a very high metabolism and they can become dehydrated easily if they have diabetes.

The American Academy of Pediatrics tells new parents to contact their baby’s pediatrician immediately if he/she shows any of the following infant diabetes symptoms:

• Crankiness
• Sweating
• Trembling
• Pale complexion
• Bluish lips or fingers

These are signs that an infant might be hypoglycemic. An infant with high blood sugar (hyperglycemia) may not show any signs of distress and parents should watch for frequent urination and dehydration.

It can be scary to learn that your baby has infant diabetes but with proper education and support, you will be better prepared to handle the situation. Remember that your baby knows when you are upset, so try to always stay calm.