According to the American Diabetes Association, around 210,000 children have diabetes, and more are diagnosed every year.
“A child with diabetes needs an adult responsible for his or her care to be with them at all times,” says Dr. Christine Burt Solorzano, an Associate Professor of Pediatrics at the University of Virginia Children’s Hospital, “Meaning that every adult responsible for the child needs to have some basic knowledge of what to look for and do.”
Learn the differences of Diabetes I & II in Children and how to best support kids with pediatric diabetes.
Understanding Diabetes I vs. II in Children
Diabetes is a condition in which the body doesn’t adequately produce or use the hormone insulin. Insulin controls glucose levels, a type of sugar that the body’s cells use for energy in the blood. Without enough insulin, cells starve and stop functioning properly.
Type I diabetes is an autoimmune disorder, where the immune system attacks cells that make insulin. People with Type I diabetes need to take insulin multiple times a day. This includes children with pediatric diabetes.
People with Type II diabetes still make some (but not enough) insulin, and their bodies can’t use it properly. Oftentimes Type II diabetes is related to weight, and children are more likely to have Type II if a parent does.
Unlike adults, children need carbohydrates to develop properly and cannot cut carbs from their diet. Children with pediatric diabetes also frequently need to change their insulin doses and nutrition as they grow. The American Diabetes Association advises working with a team that specializes in pediatric diabetes to create a daily management plan.
If diabetes isn’t properly controlled, it can affect the kidneys, eyes, heart and feet. Low glucose, known as hypoglycemia, can lead to seizures or a coma. Elevated glucose levels can impair the immune system. Eventually, it can lead to a serious condition called diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). Thus, children with pediatric diabetes need help from adults to stay safe and healthy.
How to Support Children With Diabetes
Children with diabetes need help from their parents and doctors. But it doesn’t stop there. Teachers, coaches, grandparents, babysitters, and even the parents of friends can and should lend a hand.
If you are the primary caretaker for a child with diabetes, you should be able to:
- Assist with checking their glucose levels
- Help administer insulin if necessary
- Give rapid-acting sugar if their glucose drops too low
- Supervise counting of carbs during meals as necessary
For more information about helping a child with diabetes, visit the American Diabetes Association at diabetes.org.
Warning Signs When Caring for a Child with Pediatric Diabetes
If a child with diabetes is in your care, you should know the warning signs for hypoglycemia, meaning that their blood sugar has dropped too low. These include:
- Hunger
- Feeling shaky, sweaty, or weak
- Headache
- Unusual sleepiness, confusion, seizure or loss of consciousness
- Behavioral or mood changes
- Vision changes
- Nighttime awakening
If a child shows warning signs for severe hypoglycemia, test the child’s blood glucose. If the blood glucose is less than 70 to 80 mg/dL and the child is alert, give rapid-acting sugar. This could man having them drink juice or regular soda, or putting a glucose gel into their cheek. Repeat every 15 minutes until the blood glucose is normal.
If the child’s levels don’t respond, call 911.
If a child is showing signs of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA), you will need to seek medical attention. Signs include:
- Extreme thirst
- Unusually frequent urination
- Stomachache, nausea, or vomiting
- Rapid breathing
- Breath that smells fruity
- Decreased alertness or consciousness
How Diabetes Can Impact Mental Health in Children
Children and teens with chronic illnesses may experience higher stress levels than peers. They also may feel uncomfortable managing their condition in public. You should talk openly to help your child learn about diabetes.
For younger children, consider speaking to their classmates, with the school’s permission, about diabetes and how it is managed.
Teenagers may be torn between wanting help and wanting to pretend they are just normal. Solorzano says to encourage teens to be independent, while also being active in their care to keep them safe.
“Although diabetes is a serious chronic condition,” Solorzano says, “most children and teens can do anything that someone without diabetes can do.”
Learn more about the Charlottesville dad who is advocating for type I diabetes screening, especially in children. Plus, learn about boosting your child’s immune system and building open communication with kids.
Stay connected to even more resources by signing up for our free CharlottesvilleFamily newsletter. And be sure to get to know the terrific local businesses we feature and support them whenever you can.
KATHARINE PALJUG is a freelance writer and novelist who lives in Charlottesville with two busy kids. She is a big fan of public libraries, homemade muffins, and inclusive spaces for queer families.