Diagnosis

If diabetes is suspected, your child's doctor will likely recommend a screening test. A diagnosis of type 2 diabetes in children generally requires abnormal results from two tests taken on different days. There are several blood tests for diabetes.

• Random blood sugar test. A blood sample is taken at a random time. Regardless of when your child last ate, a random blood sugar level of 200 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL), or 11.1 millimoles per liter (mmol/L), or higher suggests diabetes.
• Fasting blood sugar test. A blood sample is taken after your child fasts for at least eight hours, or overnight. A fasting blood sugar level of 126 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) (7.0 millimoles per liter or mmol/L) or higher indicates type 2 diabetes.
• A1C test. This test indicates your child's average blood sugar level for the past three months. An A1C level of 6.5% or higher on two separate tests indicates type 2 diabetes. It may also be called the hemoglobin A1C test or the glycated or glycosylated hemoglobin A1C test.
• Oral glucose tolerance test. A blood sample is taken after your child fasts for at least eight hours or overnight. Then your child will drink a sugary solution. Over the next few hours, his or her blood sugar levels will be checked again several times. A blood sugar level of 200 mg/dL (11.1 mmol/L) or higher generally means your child has type 2 diabetes.

Additional tests

Your doctor will likely recommend additional tests to distinguish between type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes, because treatment strategies for each type differ.

After the diagnosis

Your child will need regular follow-up appointments to check his or her A1C levels and ensure good diabetes management. Your doctor will also periodically check your child's:

• Growth
• Blood pressure
• Cholesterol levels
• Kidney and liver function
• Risk of polycystic ovary syndrome and obstructive sleep apnea

Your child will also need annual eye examinations.