All parents know that babies and toddlers sleep and drink a lot. However, if the child suddenly sleeps or is thirsty much more than usual, this may be a sign of type 1 diabetes.

 It was once called juvenile diabetes because most of the people who got it were babies. Your child may develop type 1 diabetes as an infant or later as an infant or teenager. It most commonly occurs after the age of five. However, some people don't get it until their late 30s.

 Knowing the symptoms of type 1 diabetes can help your child stay healthy. Understanding Type 1 Diabetes

 This is often associated with obesity and is not the same thing as 'classic' or type 2 diabetes in adults (but can occur in children, usually after the age of 10).

 If your child has type 1 diabetes, it means that the pancreas (the organ in the upper right corner of the abdomen) produces little or no insulin. This condition is an autoimmune disease, meaning the body's defense system attacks and destroys insulin-producing cells.

 What to Watch?

 Symptoms of type 1 diabetes in infants and children can start very suddenly. Look out for these signs in your baby or child:

•  Sudden strange behavior (acting like 'drunk')
•  Fruity, sweet, or wine-smelling breath
•  extreme lethargy or lack of energy
•  Ongoing, intense thirst
•  wheezing when breathing
•  heavy breathing
•  big appetite
•  sudden vision changes
•  sudden weight loss
•  Peeing more often (babies and toddlers may have more wet diapers than usual)

 difficulty breathing

 When is the Doctor Called?

 Type 1 diabetes can cause sudden, extreme fluctuations in blood sugar that can be dangerous. If you notice any the signs of diabetes in your child, it's important to have a physical exam as soon as possible so their doctor can start treatment right away.

 The doctor will do a simple urine test to check for glucose (sugar) in the urine and a finger sticks to measure the preliminary blood sugar level. A more comprehensive test called an oral glucose tolerance test can definitively tell if you have type 1 diabetes. Your child needs to follow a special diet before this procedure.

 If your child has already been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes and notices the following hypoglycemic emergency symptoms, contact your doctor.

•  blurred vision or diplopia
•  cold sticky skin
•  confusion, confusion
•  getting dizzy
•  drowsiness or weakness
•  extreme or sudden hunger
•  headache
•  Light and sticky skin
•  rapid heart rate
•  shallow breathing
•  Sweat
•  weaknesses
•  Hypoglycemia can be life-threatening for children with type 1 diabetes. If your child faints or has a seizure, be sure to call 911 or see a doctor.