STHS Children's will host a webinar as part of its Let's Talk Children's Health initiative. The session will give families guidance on recognizing the signs of Type 1 diabetes and managing life after a diagnosis.
Increased thirst, frequent bathroom trips and unexplained weight loss can be early warning signs of Type 1 diabetes, according to the health system. Those symptoms are often mistaken for common childhood illnesses. The health system said that without timely diagnosis and treatment, the condition can lead to serious complications.
Dr. Khurrum Siddique, a board-certified pediatric nephrologist with South Texas Health System Clinics, said children may not always be able to explain when they feel unwell, so parents should watch for changes in their health. He said early attention to warning signs and medical care can make a significant difference.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that about 2.1 million Americans live with Type 1 diabetes, including more than 314,000 children and adolescents younger than 20. The condition is an autoimmune disease in which the immune system attacks insulin-producing cells in the pancreas. There is currently no cure, but children with the condition can live healthy, active lives with proper treatment and medical support.