This Diabetes Awareness Month, the AAP Section on Endocrinology is reminding pediatricians and pediatric subspecialists to be alert to symptoms of diabetes this flu season.
Downloadable fliers developed by the section and the American Diabetes Association promote physician and family awareness of testing a child for diabetes when the child presents with symptoms similar to the flu or a virus, including vomiting, fatigue and malaise. These can be symptoms of diabetic ketoacidosis, especially when preceded by a history of polyuria and polydipsia.
Although the majority of children and teens with diabetes have type 1, early-onset type 2 diabetes is increasing in youths. Both forms of diabetes can lead to ketoacidosis. Prompt referral to a pediatric endocrinologist is recommended for all children diagnosed with diabetes.
Access the Diabetes Awareness flier at https://www.aap.org/en-us/Documents/soen_children_diabetes.pdf and share the AAP Family Education Fact Sheets on type 1 http://bit.ly/2dNNrUN and type 2 diabetes http://bit.ly/2dvN2s7.
