Juvenile diabetes FAQ

The cause of pediatric diabetes depends upon the type.

• Type 1 diabetes is caused by the body’s inability to produce insulin.
• Type 2 diabetes is caused by the body preventing insulin from doing its job.

Children with diabetes often begin experiencing these symptoms early in the course of diabetes:

• Fatigue
• Sudden need to drink more fluids
• Sudden need to urinate much more frequently
• Sudden weight loss

Later in the course of undiagnosed diabetes, these symptoms can occur:

• Belly pain
• Changes in mental status
• Difficulty breathing
• Visual impairment
• Vomiting

While there are genetic markers that increase a child’s risk for developing Type 1 diabetes, over 90% of children with Type 1 diabetes don’t have a relative with the disease.

• Weight: Children who are overweight are at an increased risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.
• Inactivity: Less active children have a greater risk of developing Type 2 diabetes.
• Family history: The risk of Type 2 diabetes increases if a parent or sibling has Type 2 diabetes.
• Race: Children of certain races (African American, Latino, American Indian and Asian) are more likely to develop Type 2 diabetes.

Depending on the type of coverage, most commercial insurance carriers will pay much of the cost. Consult your insurance company to understand your coverage.

Your child will remain under the care of their primary care physician while being treated by the specialists at Advocate Children’s Hospital. To ensure that your child's primary care physician is kept up to date, our team will provide ongoing reports on your child’s progress.