Topic
Signs, Symptoms & Diagnosis
Early signs in a newborn, and how neonatal diabetes is diagnosed.
The Signs in a Newborn
A baby cannot describe thirst, so neonatal diabetes shows itself through poor weight gain, very wet nappies, dehydration and unusual sleepiness.
How the Diagnosis Is Made
Diagnosis starts with a simple blood sugar test, and any diabetes appearing before six months of age should automatically lead to genetic testing.
If Your Baby Was Small at Birth
Babies with neonatal diabetes are often born small, because insulin drives growth before birth, and most of them catch up once treatment begins.
The First Days in Hospital
What to expect in the newborn unit — the drips, the monitors, the frequent heel pricks — and what the team is trying to achieve in the first few days.
Questions to Ask the Medical Team
A short list of questions worth asking about your baby's diabetes, starting with the one that changes treatment most: has genetic testing been sent?