Children and adolescents sometimes develop a condition known as diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) at the time of their diagnosis.
Symptoms of DKA include abdominal pain, excessive thirst, nausea and vomiting, rapid breathing, extreme lethargy, and drowsiness.
Unless hyperglycemia is obvious (e.g., blood glucose levels are extremely high or the child experiences DKA), the fasting or random plasma glucose test should be confirmed on a subsequent day with a repeat test.
Early detection facilitates early treatment and can prevent full-blown DKA.
Because the symptoms of DKA can mimic the flu, and the flu can increase blood sugar levels, a child who comes down with a flu-like illness should be monitored closely and tested regularly.
