Since the 1980s, the numberof children being diagnosedwith type 1 diabetes has

gradually crept up at a rate ofabout 3 to 5 percent per year.

That may not sound likemuch, but it’s startling whenyou consider that twice as

many children are diagnosedwith type 1 diabetes today

than were diagnosed 20 to 25years ago. Although the

condition can develop at anyage, we’re seeing it atyounger ages than ever

before and more toddlers andpreschoolers are being

diagnosed.

Children WithDiabetes

Misconceptionsabout Type One

Diabetes Let’s set the record straight about some untrue comments that many people(adultsand children) with type 1 diabetes often

hear: “You must have OD’d on sugar to get type 1

diabetes.”Not so.

“Type 1 is like being hit by lightning. Ithappens sometimes, and it’s not anybody’s

fault,” says Steven Griffen, MD, a vicepresident for JDRF (formerly called the

Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation).“Unfortunately, we don’t know exactly whatcauses type 1 diabetes, and researchers arestill trying to get a clear picture about geneticand environmental factors that may playroles, including exposure to viruses or

bacteria that live in your gut.” One thing we do know, though, is that it’s

not brought on by too much sugar. “Could it come from getting a vaccine as a

kid?”Scientists haven’t found a link between

vaccines and type 1 diabetes. “You put on too much weight. That’s what

caused it.”No, weight is not to blame for the disease,either. Obesity and inactivity are big riskfactors for type 2 diabetes and many other

health problems, but there’s no suchconnection to type 1.

Diabetes in children: what are the signs?The most common symptoms

of both type 1 and type 2

diabetes among children and

adolescents include increased

thirst and urination, fatigue

and weight loss. Some

children may also experience

increased hunger and blurred

vision, while girls with type 1

diabetes may develop a yeast

infection. Symptoms of type 1

diabetes in children tend to

develop rapidly over a period

of a few weeks, while type 2

diabetes symptoms develop

more slowly. Parents should

take their child to the doctor if

they notice any of the above

symptoms. But despite an

increase in diabetes

prevalence among children

and adolescents, it seems

there is a lack of awareness

when it comes to identifying

symptoms of the condition.

How is diabetes diagnosed?Although blood tests are the

most reliable way to diagnose

diabetes, your child’s doctor

may first order a glucose urine

test because it’s easier to

have a child pee into a cup

than to draw his/ her blood. If

there’s sugar in his/ her urine,

a random bloodglucose test

(one that doesn’t require

fasting) can confirm the

diagnosis, usually while you’re

still at the doctor’s office. A

bloodglucose reading of 200

milligrams per deciliter

(mg/dL) or higher indicates

your child has diabetes and

will need to be given insulin

multiple times every day to

help her body process

glucose. Fortunately, there

have been great

advancements in managing

this lifelong affliction

After the Diagnosis If your child has diabetes, it’s

critical that his/her bloodsugar

levels stay in a safe range. This will

be determined by a doctor, but it

will be slightly higher than the

normal bloodsugar level range of

70mg/dL to 120mg/dL. Levels that

drop too low or spike too high can

lead to seizures, coma, and even

death. Whenever your child eats or

is physically active, you’ll need to

take a droplet of blood pricked from

her finger and check her sugar

level using a handheld blood

glucose meter. To cut down on

finger sticks, some families have

switched to continuous glucose

monitoring systems, devices that

constantly check a child’s sugar

levels through a sensor inserted

into her skin for up to six days at a

time. But these readings aren’t as

accurate as metered ones, so kids

must still endure a few finger pokes

each day.

Diabetes in Children: Counting CarbsCarbohydrate counting is a

skill that can help you and

your child plan his or her

meals to manage diabetes

and control blood sugar.

Carbohydrate counting also

can allow your child to eat a

variety of foods, just like other

kids, and to increase his or

her sense of control and

confidence in managing

diabetes. When you and your

child know how much

carbohydrate is in food, you

can spread it throughout the

day and control portion sizes.

This helps to keep your child’s

blood sugar in his or her

target range after meals. High

blood sugar can make your

child feel tired and thirsty and,

over time, can damage many

body organs and tissues.

How Food Labels Can HelpFood labels are easy to read, and

they list a food’s ingredients,

nutritional information, and

calories. So anyone concerned

about eating healthy can learn a lot

from them. For people with

diabetes, food labels also may

provide information they need to

know to keep their blood sugar on

track. For example, if you are using

the constant carbohydrate or the

carb counting meal plan, you can

look for carbohydrates on the food

label. It will tell you how many

grams of carbs you are about to

eat. The number of carb grams on

the label applies to one serving, so

be sure to multiply that number

times the number of servings

you’re eating or drinking.

If you’re using the constant

carbohydrate or the carb counting

plan, knowing the amount of carbs

you’ve eaten can help you

determine how much medicine to

take.

Someone on an exchange plan

also might use food labels. How?

By looking at the food’s breakdown

of carbs, protein, and fat.

Caring for a child with diabetesTesting blood glucose (sugar)

and giving insulin may seem

overwhelming in the

beginning.

As you work with your

diabetes team you will learn

about diabetes and become

more confident.

It is important that you

become comfortable with

caring for your child’s

diabetes so that you can help

your child become

comfortable too. As the

caregiver of a child with type

1 diabetes, you will help them

with:

Monitoring blood glucose

Administering insulin

Having regular meals and

snacks Balancing food,

medication and physical

activity

Recognizing the signs of low

and high blood glucose

Talking to your Child about DiabetesThe way you talk to your child

about diabetes will have a big

impact on how they perceive

their diabetes and themself.

Being positive and supportive

will help boost your child’s

selfesteem.

Talk to your child about how

foods fit into a healthy lifestyle.

For example, no single food

should be described as “bad”

or “junk.”

Describe blood glucose levels

as “in target,” “high,” or “low.”

Try to avoid describing blood

glucose levels as “good” or

“bad.” Remember that

diabetes is only one part of a

child’s life. Talk to you child

about other important things

that are happening in their life

such as school, sports and

social events.

Children with Diabetes in School Schools should permit students

living with diabetes to monitor their

blood glucose (sugar), administer

insulin and treat low blood glucose

(hypoglycemia) and high blood

glucose (hyperglycemia)

conveniently and safely wherever

and whenever required. School

personnel should be trained to

recognize emergency situations

and to respond appropriately

according to the student’s individual

care plan (ICP).

School personnel should be

trained to administer glucagon in

the event of a severe hypoglycemic

reaction.

Teach your child to manage his or

her diabetes from the first day at

school.

Set up a care plan for your child

and work with school staff to help

your child manage diabetes daily.

You’ve probably already bought the

basic school supplies for sending

your child back to school. But if

your child has diabetes, you need

to make additional preparations.

Encourage your Child to eat Healthy FoodsPrepare a healthy breakfast,

which will help your child stay

focused and active. If you

send a lunch with your child,

pack a healthy meal that

contains whole grains, fresh

fruits, and vegetables.

Replace highfat foods with

lowfat options, such as low

fat turkey, reducedfat

cheese, and skim milk.

Include healthy snacks, such

as fruit, nuts, or seeds, which

your child can eat later in the

day to avoid the vending

machine and keep blood

sugar under control. If your

child buys meals at school,

look at the cafeteria menus

together to help him or her

make choices for a healthy

meal plan. Many schools post

their menus online, or you can

request this information from

school workers

Be sure your Childgets at least 60

minutes ofPhysical Activity

Every DayHaving diabetes doesn’t

mean that your child can’t be

physically active or participate

in physical education classes.

In fact, being active can help

your child improve his or her

blood sugar control. Limit

screen time—TV, video

games, and the Internet—to 1

to 2 hours a day. Being active

at an early age establishes

good habits for a lifetime and

is a lot of fun.

Encourage your child by

being active together—doing

such things as walking the

dog, riding bicycles, or

playing basketball—and you

will get the health benefits

too.

Children With Type 2 DiabetesYears ago, it was rare to hear

about a child with type 2 diabetes.

Doctors used to think kids only got

type 1. It was even called juvenile

diabetes for a long time.

Not anymore. Now more and more

people younger than 20 have this

disease.

What Is Type 2 Diabetes?

You’ve probably heard diabetes

and high blood sugar mentioned

together. Here’s what happens.

Your digestive system breaks

down carbohydrates into a type of

sugar called glucose. Your

pancreas creates a hormone,

known as insulin, that moves

glucose from your blood into your

cells, where it’s used for fuel.

In type 2 diabetes, the cells in your

child’s body don’t respond to the

insulin, and glucose builds up in

her bloodstream.

This is called insulin resistance.

Eventually, the sugar levels in his/

her body get too high for it to

handle. That could lead to other

conditions in the future, like heart

disease, blindness, and kidney

failure.

How Is Type 2 Diabetes Treated?

The first step is to get your child to thedoctor. He can tell if he/ she’s overweightbased on his/her age, weight, and height.He’ll test her blood sugar to see if she has

diabetes or prediabetes. If she does have diabetes, it may take afew extra steps to find out if it’s type 1 ortype 2. Until he knows for sure, he may

give her insulin. Once he confirms it’s type 2 diabetes, he’llask you to help her make lifestyle changes.He may suggest she take a medication

called metformin. It and insulin are the onlytwo blood sugarlowering medicines

approved for kids younger than age 18, butothers are being studied. Your child shouldget a hemoglobin A1c test every 3 months.This test measures her average blood

sugar levels over that period. She’ll need tocheck her blood sugar: When she starts or

changes treatmentIf she doesn’t meet her treatment goals Ifshe has to take insulin If she takes a

sulfonylurea drugThe doctor will teach you both how to testblood sugar and tell you how often. Mostexperts suggest three or more times a day

if she’s on insulin.If she’s not, she can check less often, butshould do it after meals. She can use atraditional finger stick test or a continuous

glucose monitor.

Can You Prevent Type 2 Diabetes In Children?The same steps used to treat

type 2 diabetes in children canalso prevent it.

Reduce fats and sweets in yourchild’s diet. Make sure he/ she

gets physical activity each day.Studies show that exercise has a

dramatic effect on reducinginsulin resistance. These are twoeasy ways to help your child get

down to and stay at a healthyweight and normal blood sugar

levels. Healthy eating andphysical activity help children

grow, learn and build strongbones and muscles.

As a parent or caregiver, youhave a great opportunity to be a

role model of positive behavioursand a healthy lifestyle. Healthy

food choices and regularphysical activity may help

children to maintain a healthyweight and prevent healthproblems, including type 2

diabetes. Type 2 diabetes usuallydevelops in adults, butincreasing numbers of

overweight children and teensare being diagnosed

Important Sick Day Rules For A Diabetic ChildTest their blood glucose levels

more often than usual ( maybe

every 2 – 4 hours)

Test for ketones if their blood

glucose level is 13.3mmol/L or

above – this is necessary to

prevent the development of

diabetic ketoacidosis which will

require urgent medical attention

Give them plenty to drink – ideally

water or no added sugar squash

Encouraging them to keep eating –

small and often may be better – if

they are vomiting and/or don’t feel

like solid food then milky or sugary

drinks may be given(if their blood

glucose levels are low) Making

adjustments to their rapid acting

insulin dose

And finally – most important of all

– do not stop or reduce your child’s

long acting insulin even when they

are ill

If you are at all concerned about

your child’s condition or are unable

to bring down their ketone levels,

or if you are unsure if you are able

to manage their

medication/symptoms at home –

seek medical advice immediately.

Find Ways to Cope with Bullying Sometimes kids pick on peers with

diabetes or other health problems.

Your child might use the following

ways to deal with teasing or

bullying: Act brave, walk away, and

ignore the bully. Tell your child to

look the bully in the eye and say

something like, “I want you to stop

right now.”

Counsel your child to then walk

away and ignore any further

taunts. Encourage your child to

“walk tall,” head held high (this

type of body language sends a

message that your child isn’t

vulnerable).

Use humor or give the bully a

compliment to throw the bully off

guard. However, tell your child not

to use humor to make fun of the

bully.

Use the buddy system. Enlisting

the help of friends or a group may

help both your child and others

stand up to bullies.

Tell an adult. If your child is being

bullied, emphasize that it’s very

important to tell an adult.

Teachers, principals, parents, and

lunchroom personnel at school can

all help to stop it.

Correct MisconceptionsTalk to your child about the fact that

people do nothing to deserve

diabetes — it just happens. Also, if

your child feels like the diabetes is

causing problems for you or your

family, offer reassurance that

there’s no reason to feel guilty.

Instead, your child should focus on

dealing with his or her own feelings

about diabetes, not yours.

Tell friends, teachers, and others

about your child’s diabetes

Ask if your child would like others to

know about the diabetes. Kids

sometimes find it less embarrassing

if they tell friends and classmates

that they have diabetes — that way,

they don’t have to worry about what

their friends will think when they

head to the nurse’s office every

day.

Teachers and care providers also

should know about your child’s

condition and its management (for

instance, if your child takes breaks

to test blood sugar or eats snacks

at certain times).

Connect with others dealing with

diabetes Finding a support group

for kids and families with diabetes

Get Help When You Need ItBe sure to keep your child’s

diabetes health care team in

the loop about any emotional

issues — they deal with this

all the time and can provide

help for your child and advice

for you. If your child shows

any signs of depression (such

as prolonged sadness or

irritability, fatigue, appetite

changes, or changes in

sleeping habits), talk to your

child’s doctor or a mental

health professional.

Every parent of a child with

diabetes must deal with the

feelings that surround the

disease. Try to keep in mind

that for most kids, negative

feelings about diabetes pass

or change with time as they

adjust to living with it.

Everything You Need To Know About Diabetes

Diabetes Support Site

Website http://diabetessupportsite.com

Diabetes support site children with diabetes presentation

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