Signs Of Diabetes In Children Who Are Often Considered Ordinary

Illustration of diabetes in children. (Freepic)

JAKARTA - Not a few parents still think diabetes only attacks adults. In fact, cases of diabetes in children of both type 1 and type 2 continue to increase from year to year.

According to data from the 11th edition of the IDF Diabetes Atlas (2024), as many as 20.4 million Indonesians live with diabetes, and that number is expected to reach 28.6 million people by 2050, making Indonesia the fifth-highest country with diabetes in the world.

One of the main causes is genetic factors. Because, if parents have a history of diabetes, the child's risk of experiencing it will increase significantly.

"If one parent has diabetes, the child may experience the same thing about 3 times. If both have diabetes, the risk is 6 times higher,"

Thus said dr. Dicky L. Stageary, Sp.PD-KEMD, Ph.D, Internal Medicine Specialist, Endocrine Consultant, Metabolics, and Diabetes in the media "World Diabetes Day Obesitas Terated, Diabetes Controlled" with Novo Nordisk Indonesia in Jakarta, Thursday, November 13, 2025.

The high risk factor illustrates the strong role of heredity factors in triggering diabetes. However, as often stated by dr. Dicky L. Stageary, genetic is not a verdict.

"The genetic factor cannot be changed, but the lifestyle is very decisive whether that risk will arise or not," he explained.

Children with genetic risk need to pay more attention, especially if early signs of diabetes appear. Here are some signs of a child with diabetes, especially type 2 which can be a reference for parents in handling diabetes from an early age.

1. Often call it

One of the most common symptoms is frequent urinating or even taking it back at night or taking it away, even though it wasn't before. This happens because high blood sugar levels make the kidneys try to emit excess sugar through urine.

2. Pay attention to the growth curve of children

Parents need to monitor children's growth carefully. If the weight or height does not rise according to the growth curve that should, there could be a metabolic problem that needs further examination.

"This is the most easily recognized. By looking at the growth curve, if it is considered obese, the risk of diabetes is also higher because we know obesity can be the entry point for many diseases, including diabetes," he added.

To reduce the risk factors for children related to diabetes, parents need to control their child's weight in order to stay in normal condition according to the growth curve.

3. Often thirst

In addition, children usually appear to be hungry and drinking in large quantities. Even though their appetite increases, their weight can actually drop for no apparent reason. The child looks weak, tired quickly, and lacks energy. This condition arises because the body is unable to use sugar as a source of energy optimally.

4. black neck tight

In boys, especially when entering adolescence, other signs of diabetes that often appear are blackened skin on the neck or neck.

This condition is called the will of nigrikans and is often a sign of insulin resistance, the initial phase before a person actually develops type 2 diabetes.

5. Haid irregular

While in teenage girls, the sign to watch out for is irregular menstruation, which can also be related to insulin resistance.

continued dr. Dicky, modern lifestyle is a big trigger for the increase in diabetes cases in children.

"Children now tend to be less moving, sit more, and eat sweet foods too often. This combination makes the risk of diabetes increase, especially if there are genetic factors," he said.

As an effort to prevent or minimize risk factors, the key is to control weight and active lifestyle. Children should routinely carry out physical activities at least one hour a day whether they play outside the home, cycle, or exercise lightly.

Food patterns also need to be maintained by limiting high foods of sugar and sugary drinks, as well as increasing consumption of fruit, vegetables, and high-fiber foods.

One thing that is no less important, parents who have a history of diabetes need to be an example. Children learn from habits at home. If parents maintain a diet and exercise regularly, children will more easily imitate this healthy lifestyle.