Type 2 Diabetes in Children
When To Call a Doctor
Call911or other emergency services immediately if your child is:
- Unconscious or becomes very sleepy unexpectedly. You or your child may have low blood sugar, called hypoglycemia. While waiting for emergency help, follow:
- Drowsy, confused, breathing fast, and your or your child’s breath smells fruity or like nail polish. Your child may have high blood sugar, called hyperglycemia. A life-threatening condition called diabetic ketoacidosis could be present.
Call a doctor immediately if your child is vomiting and cannot keep down liquids and has a blood sugar of 13.9 mmol/L or higher.
Call a doctor if your child:
- Is sick for more than 2 days (unless it is a mild illness, such as a cold), and your child:
- Has been vomiting or had diarrhea for more than 6 hours.
- Has followed the doctor's advice but it has not worked. Learn what to do when your child is sick and has diabetes.
- Has blood sugar levels that are often above 13.9 mmol/L and urine tests for ketones show more than 2+ or moderate or higher ketones.
- Has a blood sugar level that stays below the target range after eating some quick-sugar food.
- Has frequent problems with high or low blood sugar levels. The insulin dose or schedule may need to be changed.
- Is having difficulty knowing when his or her blood sugar is low (hypoglycemia unawareness).
- Is having problems following the meal plan or getting physical activity, and you want help.
If your child has not been diagnosed with type 2 diabetes
Call a health professional if:
- Your child has one or more of the common symptoms of diabetes, such as increased thirst, frequent urination, increased hunger, and slight weight loss.
- Your child age 10 or younger who is showing signs of puberty has risk factors for type 2 diabetes and has not been tested.
- Your child is overweight and gets little or no physical exercise, and you want help to reduce his or her risk for developing type 2 diabetes.
- You have been told that your child's blood sugar level is above the normal range or that he or she has prediabetes, and you want to know more about reducing his or her risk for type 2 diabetes.
Watchful Waiting
Watchful waiting is a period of time during which you and your health professional observe your child's symptoms or condition without using medical treatment. Watchful waiting is not appropriate if:
- You think your child may have symptoms of type 2 diabetes. A simple blood test is all that is needed to determine whether your child has the disease.
- Your child is overweight and gets little or no exercise. He or she is at risk for developing diabetes. Early detection and treatment for type 2 diabetes can prevent or delay complications from the disease.
- You have been told that your child has prediabetes. This condition can lead to type 2 diabetes. If your child eats a healthy diet and exercises regularly, he or she may not develop diabetes.
Who To See
Your family doctor or general practitioner can diagnose diabetes. After your child has been diagnosed, your health professional will work with you to develop a treatment plan that fits your child's needs. You may be referred to a specialist or other health professional, such as:
- A pediatrician.
- An endocrinologist.
- A certified diabetes educator (CDE). A CDE is a registered nurse, dietitian, doctor, pharmacist, or other health professional who has special training and experience in caring for people with diabetes.
- A registered dietitian, to help develop a daily meal plan for your child and your family.
- A psychologist, to help with emotional or family issues that might affect treatment.
- An exercise specialist, to help your child and family plan a program of regular physical activity.
To prepare for your appointment, see the topic Making the Most of Your Appointment
 Go to previous section |  Go to top of page |  Go to next section |
| Author: | Merrill Hayden Carrie Henley Monica Rhodes | Last Updated: November 24, 2006 |
| Medical Review: | Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine Hanan Bassyouni, MD - Endocrinology and Metabolism Alan C. Dalkin, MD - Endocrinology | |
 | ||
