- Acute Flaccid Myelitis
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- Polio and Post-Polio Syndrome
- Speech and Language Problems in Children
- Stroke
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- Tremor
- Walking Problems
- West Nile Virus
- A1C
- Blood Glucose
- Diabetes
- Diabetes and Pregnancy
- Diabetes Complications
- Diabetes in Children and Teens
- Diabetes Medicines
- Diabetes Type 1
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- How to Prevent Diabetes
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- Child Nutrition
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- Cholesterol Levels: What You Need to Know
- Cholesterol Medicines
- DASH Eating Plan
- Eating Disorders
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- HDL: The “Good” Cholesterol
- High Cholesterol in Children and Teens
- How to Lower Cholesterol
- How to Lower Cholesterol with Diet
- Infant and Newborn Nutrition
- LDL: The “Bad” Cholesterol
- Malabsorption Syndromes
- Nutrition for Older Adults
- Pregnancy and Nutrition
- Toddler Nutrition
- Triglycerides
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- Alpha-1 Antitrypsin Deficiency
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- Pain
- Rare Diseases
- Raynaud’s Disease
- Sciatica
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- Stuttering
Diabetes in Children and Teens
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.
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
Prevention and Risk Factors
- 4 Steps to Manage Your Diabetes for Life National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
- Prevent Type 2 Diabetes in Kids Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Patient Handouts
- A1C test Medical Encyclopedia
- Blood sugar test Medical Encyclopedia
- Giving an insulin injection Medical Encyclopedia
- Type 1 diabetes Medical Encyclopedia
Diagnosis and Tests
- A1C: MedlinePlus Health Topic National Library of Medicine
- Diabetes Tests and Diagnosis National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
- Ketones in Blood National Library of Medicine
- Ketones in Urine National Library of Medicine
Related Issues
- Acanthosis Nigricans Nemours Foundation
- Managing Diabetes at School Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
- Monogenic Forms of Diabetes: Neonatal Diabetes Mellitus and Maturity-Onset Diabetes of the Young National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
Find an Expert
- American Diabetes Association American Diabetes Association
- National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
- NIDDK Information Clearinghouses and Health Information Center National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
Living With
- Carbohydrates and Diabetes (For Parents) Nemours Foundation
- 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
- Meal Plans and Diabetes (For Parents) Nemours Foundation
Clinical Trials
- ClinicalTrials.gov: Diabetes in Children and Teens National Institutes of Health
Encyclopedia
- Counting carbohydrates Medical Encyclopedia
- Diabetes Medical Encyclopedia
- Diabetes – keeping active Medical Encyclopedia
- Diabetes – when you are sick Medical Encyclopedia
- Diabetes and exercise Medical Encyclopedia
- Diabetes type 2 – meal planning Medical Encyclopedia
- Glucose tolerance test – non-pregnant Medical Encyclopedia
- Glucose urine test Medical Encyclopedia
- High blood sugar – self-care Medical Encyclopedia
- Insulin C-peptide test Medical Encyclopedia
- Ketones blood test Medical Encyclopedia
- Ketones urine test Medical Encyclopedia
- Microalbuminuria test Medical Encyclopedia
- Oral hypoglycemics overdose Medical Encyclopedia
- Snacking when you have diabetes Medical Encyclopedia
- Sweeteners – sugar substitutes Medical Encyclopedia
- Type 2 diabetes – self-care Medical Encyclopedia
- Type 2 diabetes – what to ask your doctor Medical Encyclopedia
Symptoms
- Diabetes Type 1 Symptoms American Diabetes Association
Children
- Eagle Books Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
Treatments and Therapies
- Medicines for Diabetes Nemours Foundation
- Treating Type 2 Diabetes Nemours Foundation
- Type 1 Diabetes: How Is It Treated? Nemours Foundation
NIH MedlinePlus Magazine
- New Options for Treating Type 2 Diabetes in Kids and Teens
- Turning Things Around: An 18-Year-Old’s Inspiring Advice for Managing Type 2 Diabetes
Journal Articles
Statistics and Research
- Two Diabetes Medications Don’t Slow Progression of Type 2 Diabetes in Youth National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases
Start Here
- Type 1 Diabetes: What Is It? Nemours Foundation
- Type 2 Diabetes: What Is It? Nemours Foundation