Question
A 15-month-old boy has recently shown an abnormal drinking behavior, consuming three bottles (each containing 240 milliliters) of water in one night. The parents stated that the child’s diet was not salty, and the child had just recovered from a cold. Is this condition related to the cold, or a sign of another health issue?
Answer
Excessive water drinking in children may be a symptom of juvenile diabetes. When children have diabetes, they feel thirsty and increase their water intake. If blood sugar levels continue to rise, children may experience polyuria, leading to thirst and frequent drinking. If not treated promptly, this may cause an imbalance in protein and fat decomposition, resulting in gradual weight loss and fatigue. Therefore, if parents observe these symptoms in their children, they should take them to the doctor immediately.