Diabetes Mellitus Type 1 In Children

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• Diabetes mellitus is a disease affecting how your child's body makes insulin and how it uses glucose (sugar). Insulin is a hormone that helps the body use sugar by allowing the sugar to enter body cells. Type 1 diabetes occurs when your child's pancreas (an organ that lies behind the stomach) does not make enough insulin. This causes high blood sugar levels in the body. The four types of diabetes are type 1, type 2, other specific types, and gestational diabetes. Type 1 diabetes is also called insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) or juvenile-onset diabetes. It is more common in children or young adults but it can occur at any age.
  
  
• Type 1 diabetes may be an autoimmune or inherited disease. An autoimmune disease is when the body's defense system attacks the cells in the pancreas. Common symptoms of type 1 diabetes include increased thirst, hunger, and urination. Your child may also have blurred vision. Blood sugar tests are used to diagnose type 1 diabetes. The treatment goal is to keep your child's blood sugar normal and controlled.

INSTRUCTIONS:

Your child's medicines are: ____

• Keep a list of your child's medicines: Keep a written list of the medicines your child takes, the amounts, and when and why they are taken. Bring the list of your child's medicines or the medicine bottles when you visit your child's caregivers. Ask your child's caregiver for more information about the medicines. Do not give any medicines to your child without first asking your child's caregiver. This includes prescriptions, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, herbs, or food supplements.
  
  
• Give your child's medicine as directed: Always give your child's medicine as directed by his caregivers. Call your child's caregiver if you think your child's medicines are not helping. Call if you feel your child is having side effects. Do not quit giving the medicines to your child until you discuss it with your child's caregiver.
  
  
• Giving insulin: Your child may need one or more insulin shots every day to decrease the amount of sugar in his blood. You, a family member, or a friend will be taught how to give the insulin shots. You will also learn about the different types of insulin. With an adult present, your child may learn to give his own insulin shots about age ten. Ask your child's caregiver for more information about insulin and giving insulin shots.

Follow-up visit information: ____ Keep all appointments. Write down any questions you and your child may have. This way you will remember to ask these questions during your child's next visit.

Blood sugar checks: You may need to check your child's blood sugar many times each day. To do this, you may have to use a glucose monitor. This is a small device that tells how much sugar is in your child's blood. The monitor uses a small drop of blood from a prick on your child's finger. Your child's blood sugar should be between 90 and 130 mg/dl (milligrams per deciliter) before meals. After meals, his blood sugar level should be less than 180 mg/dL. In a diary, write down your child's blood sugar results each time for your child's caregiver to review.

Diet: Give your child a variety of healthy foods every day. His diet should include fruits, vegetables, breads, dairy products, and protein (such as chicken, fish, and beans).

• You may need to change what your child eats to control his blood sugar. Choose healthy foods for your child that are low in sugar, fat, and cholesterol. Your caregiver or dietitian will teach you how to follow a healthy meal plan.
  
  
• Young children with diabetes can go through fussy eating periods just like other children. Continue to offer a variety of healthy foods along with favorite foods.

Diabetic foot care: High blood sugar can damage your child's nerves and blood vessels. This will prevent blood and oxygen from reaching his body tissues. Your child may lose feeling in his feet because of nerve damage.

• Check and carefully wash your child's feet every day.
  
  
• Make sure your child does not wear shoes that are too small or socks that do not fit right inside his shoes.
  
  
• Soak your child's feet in warm soapy water for 10 minutes before cutting his nails. Trim the toenails straight across to prevent ingrown toenails. You may also file down the toenails. Do not cut your child's nails into the corners or close to the skin. You should not dig under or around the nail.

Exercise: Exercise helps keep your child's blood sugar level under control. It also makes the heart stronger, lowers blood pressure, and keeps your child healthy. Exercising and controlling your child's weight can change the amount of insulin his body needs. Try to get him to be active at least 30 minutes every day. Playing can be a very good exercise. Work with your child's caregiver to help plan the best exercise program for your child.

• Check your child's blood sugar before and after exercise to learn how his blood sugar responds to exercise. Caregivers may tell you to change the amount of insulin you give to your child or food he eats. Do not let him exercise if his blood sugar is over 250 mg/dl or less than 100 mg/dl.
  
  
• If your child's blood sugar is less than 100 mg/dl, give him a carbohydrate snack to eat or drink before exercising. This will help to avoid low blood sugar. Examples of carbohydrate snacks are 4 to 6 crackers, one-half banana, eight ounces (one cup) of milk or four ounces (one-half cup) of juice.
  
  
• Have a carbohydrate snack available during and after his exercise. Have him drink fluids before, during, and after exercise. Make sure your child wears good shoes and socks to prevent sores and blisters on his feet.

Medical alert bracelet or necklace: Your child should wear a medical alert bracelet that says he has diabetes. You may get one from your local drugstore or contact the MedicAlert Foundation listed below:

• MedicAlert Foundation
  2323 Colorado Avenue
  Turlock, CA 95382
  Phone: 1-888-633-4298
  Web Address: http://www.medicalert.org
  

CALL ____ IF:

• Your child feels dizzy or has headaches.
  
  
• Your child feels very weak or very tired.
  
  
• Your child has numbness of his arms or legs.
  
  
• Your child has red, dry skin.
  
  
• Your child gets easily irritated.
  
  
• Your child is vomiting (throwing up) or has an upset stomach.
  
  
• You have questions or concerns about your child's disease, medicine, or care.

SEEK CARE IMMEDIATELY IF:

• Your child has blurred or double vision (eyesight).
  
  
• Your child is having trouble staying awake or focusing on things.
  
  
• Your child is shaking or sweating.
  
  
• Your child's breath has a fruity sweet smell or his breathing is shallow (not deep).
  
  
• Your child's heartbeat is fast and weak.

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Healthcare Inc. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.

The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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