When I was pregnant with my daughter I had gestational diabetes. Now, a year later, I have type 2 diabetes which is controlled by two different medications. What are the chances that my daughter would develop diabetes? I have noticed lately that she has been using the bathroom a lot, wetting the bed at night, and also asking for drink more often. I checked her sugar for the first time last night before supper and it was 193 mg/dl [10.7 mmol/L]. This morning, it was only 93 mg/dl [5.2 mmol/L], which I think is okay, but I’m not sure. I know that it would be for me. What do you think? What should I do?

The blood sugar of 193 mg/dl [10.7 mmol/L] is definitely abnormal, for anybody. Children’s levels are not much different than for adults. If she is overweight, this is a big risk factor for development of type 2 diabetes. You should get a series of blood glucose levels before and one hour after several meals to see what levels you get and then discuss this with your doctors. If you still have a question, then you should consult with a pediatric diabetes specialist in your area. If there are Symptoms of Diabetes, then this is more urgent than if there are intermittent high values. Either way, this should be investigated more thoroughly. You may want to get a book called Diabesity by Dr. Francine Kaufman.

SB

[Editor’s comment: If you suspect your child has type 1 diabetes, you may also ask your physician to check your daughter’s insulin, islet and GAD65 antibody levels. See a previous related question.

BH]