Type 1 diabetes, once called juvenile diabetes, is more commonly developed in childhood or adolescence than in adulthood. Although its development in adulthood obviously comes with its own problems and risks, it is particularly tricky in childhood when a child’s body is working overtime to learn and grow.

Although many children who are diagnosed with Type 1 go on to grow and develop at a steady, normal pace, others are not so fortunate and experience physical, cognitive, and behavioral delays, all of which can prove extremely problematic if they are not caught early on.

Early Intervention in Diabetes and Beyond

Early intervention is pivotal where developmental delays are concerned, as many delays can be overcome entirely when they are worked on soon after developing. This is also true for diabetes: catching Type 1 early will help keep complications and symptoms under control while letting it go untested can result in all-over physical and cognitive damage.

To make sure children are protected from developmental delays and issues, most pediatric offices provide parents with warnings signs to look out for. Typically, these include social, physical, cognitive, and behavioral markers.

Diabetes and Developmental Delays

The most common developmental delay to accompany diabetes is a physical delay. Physical delays can present in something small, such as a child not matching the average weight of other children, or something more significant, like malnutrition or persistent malaise.

Diabetes can also lead to cognitive impairment, if it is not properly cared for, resulting in the potential for life-long learning difficulties. Delays can persist into puberty, resulting in the late onset of puberty or impaired growth. Some studies have even suggested that failure to properly and adequately manage Type 1 diabetes can pave the way to a significant halt in growth; some children with Type 1 were found to be consistently shorter than their non-diabetic peers.

Diabetes and Growth

Although diabetes can be dangerous for a child’s growth and development, it does not have to be. With proper management of Type 1 and strict control of blood sugar levels, children can enjoy a happy, typical childhood and young adulthood, without any significant delays or impairments at all. The key is in early detection and immediate treatment. If you suspect your child might have diabetes, don’t put off a visit to the pediatrician; it can make all the difference in health and development outcomes.