Type 2 diabetes was once a condition that occurred only in adults. Today we see it more in teens and even in children. Most of these children are from ethnic groups at high risk for type 2 diabetes (African, Arab, Asian, Hispanic, Indigenous or South Asian). In Canada, 44% of children who are diagnosed with type 2 diabetes are of Indigenous heritage.
The most common signs and symptoms of type 2 diabetes can include:
- unusual thirst
- frequent urination
- weight change (gain or loss)
- extreme fatigue or lack of energy
- blurred vision
- frequent or recurring infections
- diabetes ketoacidosis (DKA)
Some people may have a skin condition characterized by a velvety dark overgrowth of the skin in some areas of their body called acanthosis nigricans. However, some people diagnosed with type 2 diabetes may not notice any symptoms.
In some cases, the child or youth can present with DKA or HHS (Hyperosmolar Hyperglycemic State).