Type 1 diabetes is the most common form of the condition among children and adolescents. A 2009 report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revealed that type 1 diabetes prevalence stands at 1.93 in every 1,000 children and adolescents, while type 2 diabetes affects 0.24 in every 1,000. Since the 1980s, the number of children being diagnosed with type 1 diabetes has gradually crept up at a rate of about 3 to 5 percent per year. That may not sound like much, but it’s startling when you consider that twice as many children are diagnosed with type 1 diabetes today than were diagnosed 20 to 25 years ago. Although the condition can develop at any age, we’re seeing it at younger ages than ever before and more toddlers and preschoolers are being diagnosed.

1. Children
With
Diabetes
Diabetes Support Site
Website http://diabetessupportsite.com
Diabetes can seem to be an
overwhelming disease because it
impacts so many areas of your
daily life. It’s important to have
support from family, friends and
from other people with diabetes.
You don’t have to face diabetes
alone. Join a support group like
this website to connect with people
who truly understand, motivate,
and encourage you!

2. Since the 1980s, the number
of children being diagnosed
with type 1 diabetes has
gradually crept up at a rate of
about 3 to 5 percent per year.
That may not sound like
much, but it’s startling when
you consider that twice as
many children are diagnosed
with type 1 diabetes today
than were diagnosed 20 to 25
years ago. Although the
condition can develop at any
age, we’re seeing it at
younger ages than ever
before and more toddlers and
preschoolers are being
diagnosed.
Children With
Diabetes

3. Misconceptions
about Type One
Diabetes
Let’s set the record straight about some
untrue comments that many people(adults
and 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. It
happens sometimes, and it’s not anybody’s
fault,” says Steven Griffen, MD, a vice
president for JDRF (formerly called the
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation).
“Unfortunately, we don’t know exactly what
causes type 1 diabetes, and researchers are
still trying to get a clear picture about genetic
and environmental factors that may play
roles, 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 risk
factors for type 2 diabetes and many other
health problems, but there’s no such
connection to type 1.

4. 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.

5. 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

6. 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.

7. Diabetes in Children: Counting Carbs
Carbohydrate 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.

8. How Food Labels Can Help
Food 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.

9. Caring for a child with diabetes
Testing 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

10. Talking to your Child about Diabetes
The 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.

11. 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.

12. Encourage your Child to eat Healthy Foods
Prepare 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

13. Be sure your Child
gets at least 60
minutes of
Physical 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.

14. Children With Type 2 Diabetes
Years 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.

15. How Is Type 2 Diabetes Treated?
The first step is to get your child to the
doctor. He can tell if he/ she’s overweight
based 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 a
few extra steps to find out if it’s type 1 or
type 2. Until he knows for sure, he may
give her insulin.
Once he confirms it’s type 2 diabetes, he’ll
ask you to help her make lifestyle changes.
He may suggest she take a medication
called metformin. It and insulin are the only
two blood sugar­lowering medicines
approved for kids younger than age 18, but
others are being studied. Your child should
get a hemoglobin A1c test every 3 months.
This test measures her average blood
sugar levels over that period. She’ll need to
check her blood sugar: When she starts or
changes treatment
If she doesn’t meet her treatment goals If
she has to take insulin If she takes a
sulfonylurea drug
The doctor will teach you both how to test
blood sugar and tell you how often. Most
experts suggest three or more times a day
if she’s on insulin.
If she’s not, she can check less often, but
should do it after meals. She can use a
traditional finger stick test or a continuous
glucose monitor.

17. Can You Prevent Type 2 Diabetes In Children?
The same steps used to treat
type 2 diabetes in children can
also prevent it.
Reduce fats and sweets in your
child’s diet. Make sure he/ she
gets physical activity each day.
Studies show that exercise has a
dramatic effect on reducing
insulin resistance. These are two
easy ways to help your child get
down to and stay at a healthy
weight and normal blood sugar
levels. Healthy eating and
physical activity help children
grow, learn and build strong
bones and muscles.
As a parent or caregiver, you
have a great opportunity to be a
role model of positive behaviours
and a healthy lifestyle. Healthy
food choices and regular
physical activity may help
children to maintain a healthy
weight and prevent health
problems, including type 2
diabetes. Type 2 diabetes usually
develops in adults, but
increasing numbers of
overweight children and teens
are being diagnosed

18. Important Sick Day Rules For A Diabetic Child
Test 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.

19. 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.

20. Correct Misconceptions
Talk 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

21. Get Help When You Need It
Be 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.

22. Everything You Need To Know About Diabetes
Diabetes Support Site
Website http://diabetessupportsite.com