Home / Health / Toddler's Thirst Led to Shock Diabetes Diagnosis
Toddler's Thirst Led to Shock Diabetes Diagnosis
16 Sep
Summary
- A three-year-old was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes after excessive thirst.
- The child was close to a life-threatening medical emergency called DKA.
- Misconceptions about type 1 diabetes caused stigma for the family.
A mother's quick action potentially saved her daughter's life when excessive thirst was identified as a symptom of type 1 diabetes. Susanna, aged three, began drinking and urinating much more than usual in March 2026. Her mother, Leah Evans Vine, became alarmed after Susanna drank 15 bottles of water in one afternoon and started wetting herself despite being potty-trained.
Susanna's mood swings and increased thirst prompted a GP visit. At the hospital, tests revealed she had type 1 diabetes and was at risk of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), a life-threatening condition. She remained hospitalized for six days, where her parents learned to manage her insulin injections.
Despite her young age, Susanna has adapted well, now using an insulin patch pump. However, her mother, Leah, has encountered significant stigma and misconceptions surrounding type 1 diabetes, with people wrongly attributing it to diet or pregnancy choices.
To combat the lack of understanding, Leah is participating in Diabetes UK's Wellness Walk London Bridges event on September 27. She aims to raise awareness and support other families newly diagnosed with diabetes, emphasizing that type 1 diabetes is not caused by lifestyle choices and does not need to make children feel different.
