Should I take my DC to A&E over concerns for diabetes

[thesurreymum]

DS is 6 has been completely dry day and night since before he was 3, never any accidents. Back in May/June this year he started sporadically wetting the bed. No known emotional changes, checked with the school etc all okay. We went to the doctors, did a urine test no infection, no sugars in the urine. Did a referral to the paediatrician as it is a concern why he has started after being previously dry.

Still waiting for the referral now, over the past few months continued with very sporadic vet wetting, going weeks without any accidents and then wetting. The last two nights he has been wet so I've called the doctor and explained. She is going to chase the referral.

I said my concern is type 1 diabetis, its a common symptom and I asked if he could be tested. Her response was that urine was clear in June, he's well in himself and she doesn't want to put him through a blood test before being seen by the paediatrics. She didn't believe that they could finger prick a child?

Now do I wait for this referral, it's been going on around 4 months and he's not deteriorated or do I take him to A&E with my concerns and let them deal with it properly.

I am sensitive to diabetes as a close friends child was diagnosed earlier this year and he had no symptoms only a bout of sickness.

Also the last two nights he fell asleep on the sofa and therefore didn't have a wee before bed like he usually does so could this be a contributing factor?

On the basis that both times he fell asleep on the sofa he didn’t go to the loo before going to bed it’s far more likely to be that he should have gone to the loo rather than having diabetes.

Regardless this is something you follow up with your GP. It isn’t an emergency for A&E.

OP - put it another way.

If you were unaware of your friend and her child's experience of T1 diabetes, would you be as concerned?

@CameleonAreFightingBack I think the GP, who did such tests 4 months ago and wasn't overly concerned as didn't refer as an urgent request, is following protocol actually. Stupid analogy really, to compare a healthcare professional doing their job, to a parent with no obvious medical knowledge, posting on MN.

I was attempting to reassure the OP that as her son doesn’t have the extra symptoms it’s unlikely to be t1. However- personally, knowing others who’s kids have been very very unwell due to a late t1 diagnosis in dka- I would err on the side of caution, feed carbs and do a fingerprick check (indeed I have done just that with my other child and my niece when they’ve shown minor symptoms in the past).

But they wouldnt have referred if they didn’t think there was a possible issue is my point.

The fact that it’s not an urgent referral only means it’s not a life and death situation just right now. It doesn’t mean it’s not serious and no cause for concern. A lot of illnesses have a huge impact on people life Wo being a life and death situation.

@CameleonAreFightingBack that wasn't your point. Your point was sarcastically suggesting the comments about the OP seeming being overly anxious were silly. By suggesting the GP must also be anxious. Because why would they make a referral otherwise? The GP isn't anxious, they've made a routine referral to paediatrics to determine if the child may, or may not, have any underlying urinary retention issues. They haven't referred the child because they think they are diabetic. They haven't encouraged the OP to go to A&E for something that doesn't require an A&E trip and wouldn't be beneficial.

Are you kidding?

Your 6 year old wets the bed occasionally, has no other symptoms and you're considering taking him to a and e?
Due to worries about diabetes?
I honestly think that's the maddest thing I've seen on here...

Huh?

I read Cameleon's post as meaning the GP thinks there's something worth investigating further and therefore the OP is justified in feeling a little concerned (although maybe a little too focussed on diabetes given her friend's experience). GP's don't refer children to paediatricians for fun.

@TheCompactPussycat I know what GP's refer to paediatrics for thank you. I work in peads. Not sure why you're involving yourself here to be honest.

@thesurreymum we had similar hit our doc said we could go directly to hospital for bloods but as there was no sugar in urine (or rather levels were ok) that we'd have a long wait. She wasn't unduly concerned but said to book in at blood clinic which we did and all was well.

It's a public forum. If you wanted a private discussion you've misunderstood how MN works.

@TheCompactPussycat oooh sassy!

To be honest, @TheCompactPussycat has a point. Working in paeds doesn't give you a right to tell another poster not to involve themselves.

Do not take your son to A&E because he wets the bed occasionally. A&E will not do anything ecmxcept what you GP did.... They would start by testing his urine. If that showed nothing they won't do anything else unless it's indicated. In the absence of any other diabetes symptoms, you just being convinced it is diabetes is not an indication. The first rule of medicine is first do no harm. By giving a child an unnecessary test you will be doing harm, so they won't do that.

They also won't speed up any referrals. They will just tell you to go back and see your GP, as any reasonable person should do as a first port of call.

Ive heard it all now... And I say that as an ambulance crew who has gone out on blue lights to someone complaining of difficulty breathing when they actually had a cold.

@Lougle no you're right, it doesn't. It does, however, give me good insight to tell a parent that they're being overly anxious and maybe should be talking to their own GP about this. Which is the discussion I was having originally.

My son is still bed wetting and still in nappies can you not just put some nappies on him as he still young yet

My then 6 year suddenly became a bed wetter, previously been dry. The GP was great and involved the school nurse. In the end it turned out to be constipation and the school nurse suggested cutting out blackcurrant squash which had a huge positive impact. Hope things improve OP 🙏