Question:
From Oregon, USA:
Can you tell me if slow healing in a child is a symptom of diabetes?
Also, excessive sweating, especially at night. I have a three year old in my
care that has been getting sores on his face that take months to heal. Thanks
for any input.
Answer:
The onset of overt symptoms of diabetes in a 3 year old occurs fairly
abruptly. Although it is true that sores heal slowly when the blood
sugar is high and poorly healing sores may be a sign of asymptomatic
high blood sugars in an older individual, it would be unlikely that a 3
year old would have high blood sugars with only slow healing as the
only sign for 3 months.
I would recommend suggesting to his mother
that he consult his pediatrician regarding these sores.
Excessive sweating at night is not a symptom of diabetes.
TGL
Original posting 2 Dec 96