What is Infant Diabetes?

Infant diabetes is a condition in which a child's body cannot properly regulate blood sugar. This results in high blood sugar levels in the body as well as high insulin levels. While it is possible that the disease develops in a child under a year old, it is much more common in those more than 12 months old.

Insulin turns blood sugar into a usable form of glucose, which is vital for a number of bodily processes. When the body cannot turn sugars into a usable form, diabetes occurs. This can be a serious condition, especially in an infant that needs proper balance within the body to grow at the correct pace and to develop to full potential.

Many of the symptoms of infant diabetes can easily be mistaken for another illness. In some cases, the only outward symptoms are irritability and crying for no other discernible reason. Some infants develop a blue hue to their lips or extremities, but in many infants these are not the traditional signs of an imbalance in blood sugar. Many do not demonstrate the trembling of an adult, and a baby cannot communicate vision problems or lightheadedness. Depending on the body's reaction to the glucose levels present at any one time, a baby may show signs of being dehydrated.

Glucose is one of the main components in the development of the brain of a child, so it is vitally important to manage the levels of sugar, glucose, and insulin in the body. The parents of an infant with diabetes are generally instructed by medical professionals about the best actions to take if their baby's blood sugar drops too low or becomes too high. This can include keeping glucose levels high with something as simple as fruit juice. On the other hand, the parents must also know what to do when blood sugar gets too high. Extreme cases can result in shock or coma, and medical professionals must be able to adjust the administration of insulin quickly.

As the body of a baby or child is always changing as he or she grows, it is crucial to regularly consult with a medical professional on the correct management of the condition, which will generally change over time. Caring for a baby with infant diabetes requires vigilance and frequent monitoring because the baby cannot warn his or her parents about when the effects of diabetes are being felt. When an infant is ill, testing will become more frequent still, as the symptoms that do manifest themselves can easily be mistaken for illness. When correctly managed, a child with infant diabetes is generally not necessarily more susceptible to other illnesses or conditions than a baby without it.

Infant diabetes frequently occurs alongside other conditions. It can often be seen in babies with Turner syndrome or Down syndrome. Genetics may also play a part in the development of the condition.