Some children do not receive a diagnosis until their symptoms are already severe, and, in some cases, fatal. Children and adolescents with diabetes usually experience four main symptoms, but many children will have only one or two. In some cases, they will show no signs. If a child suddenly becomes more thirsty or tired or urinates more than usual, their parents may not consider diabetes a possibility. Doctors too, since diabetes is less common among very young children, may attribute the symptoms to other, more common illnesses.

For this reason, they may not diagnose diabetes at once. It is important to be aware of the possible signs and symptoms of diabetes in order to get a diagnosis and treatment as soon as possible.