3 year old showing signs of diabetes??

[Jjc23]

Hi,

For the past 2 weeks my partner and i have noticed our 3 year old son is drinking a lot more than his usual. We’ve also noticed how fast he is drinking. We give him a 450ml bottle which he drinks within 10 minute's and then asks for another almost immediately. He usually only drinks around 2-3 bottles of fluid per day, but this has gone up to 3-5. He has also been asking for milk more so than he would normally (not sure if this has any relevance).

After noticing this my partner and i were then thinking of other things we’d notice but bushed off. He is still in nappies and has been leaking almost every morning which isnt normal for him but because he is drinking more we left it. The past 3 days ive been changing him around 2am as he has leaked then his nappy is full again by 7am.
He nappy area has also been a bit sore, and hes been complaining that his penis is sore and messing with it.

Our son was premature (born 9 weeks early) and has also struggled with his immune system. He takes a lot longer to get over common illnesses then the average child his age. His weight is within range but he isnt a very big child. One thing we have brushed off but are now questioning is that he is randomly unwell, for example he has a temperature or ear ache for 12-24hrs then is fine. But we put this down to his immune system being low.

Are his dad and i being paranoid or could this be something??

Ps. i have contacted the doctors about this and he has an appointment in 3 days but they have said they are only doing a urine dip test. No blood test.

They will probably do a finger prick test if they find sugar in his urine, have you noticed his breath having a different smell?

No, we havent noticed his breath smelling different

Ok, keep an eye on that then. I'm not sure if a pharmacist could do a quick urine test for you to put your mind at rest, it might be worth popping in and asking as 3 days is a while to wait. Hopefully it's nothing to worry about, I know the weather hasn't been very warm but little ones running about can get hot and thirsty.

The doctor said the same thing to me on the phone, that it could just be my child is hot and thirsty from playing. I dont normally take him to the GP if i know its something i can handle at home. I felt so silly calling after that comment but given his history i do worry about his health.

You could get a diabetes monitor from Amazon prime for £15, it's a little finger prick which tests the blood if the chemist can't help and you don't want to wait.

I imagine it's just the running around etc but good you have noticed and want to check.

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Glucose-Monitor-Diabetes-Testing-Codefree/dp/B08G88Y3WN/ref=asc_df_B08G88Y3WN/?tag=googshopuk-21&linkCode=df0&hvadid=696385640875&hvpos=&hvnetw=g&hvrand=11378884264260438131&hvpone=&hvptwo=&hvqmt=&hvdev=m&hvdvcmdl=&hvlocint=&hvlocphy=9046470&hvtargid=pla-1059755659659&psc=1&mcid=734c8b07e1f7373eb0c47d448ec7e8f6&gad_source=1

Like that

You're not being silly at all, op! Those sort of comment to parents make me really cross! We know our children like no other and we can tell if somethings different or feels wrong. Good for you for noticing and checking this out, you're just caring for your child.

I'd push for a blood test as there is something called Diabetes Inspidus which oddly has no relation to diabetes and has nothing to do with sugar that is to do with how your body managers your water intake especially if his urine and breath aren't smelling sweet at all. Good news is it can be treated with tablets relatively easily.

If he is diabetic it is type 1 and his size is irrelevant. it's a genetic disorder. it's a scary diagnoses but with modern technology is thankfully easier to manager than ever before.

Has he had any other symptoms? Random weight loss, lethagy etc?

Do you know anyone with diabetes who may be able to give you a finger prick test in the meantime. feel like 3 days a long time to wait (I am not that patient)

My partner suggested this but we wasnt sure if we should or not. I suppose it wouldnt hurt to check.

Mum of a child with T1 diabetes here. Please get him checked today. Hopefully is nothing but if it is type 1 diabetes then they can deteriorate rapidly. I remember when my son was diagnosed I put his thirst down to the weather & hadn't really noticed he was thinner & paler. His onset was very rapid & we took him to the GP expecting a urine infection as he was getting up to wee frequently one night. He was diagnosed immediately at the GP & straight to hospital.
Unfortunately too many children are diagnosed late with T1 & end up in diabetic ketoacidosis which is an emergency situation. Please go back to your GP & insist on a urine test & ideally a finger prick test for glucose today. The 4 T's of type 1 diabetes are Toilet - urinating a lot, Thirsty - being very thirsty & unable to quench the thirst, Tired - more tired than usual, Thin - losing weight. Other signs can be genital itching/thrush. Lots of good. advice on JDRF , Diabetes UK & Digibete if you do need it.
If your GP won't see you today pharmacist is a good idea or Boots usually sell the glucose finger pricking test kits. Hopefully it isn't but your gut is telling you something is wrong & far better to check out early.

Ok thank you. I havent heard of diabetes inspidus so i will definitely keep this in mind.

My mum has commented that she thought he had lost a bit of weight but this was about a month ago and he had just gotten a sickness bug. He has also started taking a short nap during the day again which he had stopped doing. Its only for around 20 minutes.

We do have T1 diabetes in the family but unfortunately this person has past away and we dont know anyone else.

This! Please see if he can be seen today.

Op he needs his sugars testing today. Weight loss, tiredness, excessive thirst are all key symptoms

Agree with PP. A chemist test tells you about his blood sugar level. A GP will take a more holistic view and consider other conditions.

Tell reception that yes, it is an emergency. He needs to be seen by a professional today and hopefully you will be reassured that all is well. And If he does need intervention it can be started early.

Thank you so much for this comment.

I wasnt sure if i was being paranoid but my gut is telling me it’s something. I have considered a urine infection but he isnt in huge amounts of pain in his private area, he complains maybe every other day.

It was his nursery that advised me to take him to get a blood test as i ask them about his drinking.
Im just a little confused as my son doesnt seem unwell. However, if it is T1 diabetes wouldnt he be more unwell or is this only we they get to DKA stage?

Don't wait 3 days op. Either call the GP and insist on an appointment today or take him to a&e.

Given this 100% get him tested today. either go back to the GP and insist or buy a glucose monitor. If you wait an hour after food blood sugar should be below 7.8 if not diabetic. it is a little painful a difficult on a wriggly child so you may want to get someone to help you out.

Definitely the possible weight loss & sleeping would add more concern to that & a family history. Unfortunately not all GPs are as clued up about T1 so you need to be assertive & insist on something today . Hopefully tests & GP will reassure but if it is T1D then the earlier the treatment the better.

Take him to A&E today if the GP won't see him.
As a pp has said, this can escalate very quickly into diabetic ketoacidosis, which is life-threatening.
Fingers crossed it's not that, but don't risk it.

I can't believe the GP would say appointment in 3 days. So dangerous.

Replying to your comment above. No my son was perfectly well before. We had done a big bike ride the day before on holiday & it's only in hindsight when I look at the photos that he looked a bit pale & thin. It was the last day of our holiday & he was up in the night weeing & then had to stop a few times on drive home. Booked Gp for next morning & was shocked when she did the urine test with huge amount of glucose & lots of ketones. It had obviously been brewing in the background as one of the other hospital tests showed that.
I think it is so much harder as well with little ones in nappies as not as obvious to see how often they are urinating. But far too many children end up diagnosed in DKA , which is potentially life threatening , & the little ones can deteriorate rapidly so important not to delay.

Is he drinking juice?
Will he still drink that much if it's plain water?

If he doesn't drink as much is he still filling nappies really quickly?

I'd be going for an emergency GP appointment.

Paediatric nurse here. Please get his blood sugar checked ASAP. Either GP or pharmacist.

Or failing that got to A&E.

@Jjc23 the thing with children is they have amazing reserves in terms of their ability to withstand ill health ... until they don't and then they crash. I'm sure @Toddlerteaplease will have seen more being a paediatric nurse but as a GP I would be getting you down straight away for tests as if sugars are up you'd be off 3 days is too long.