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Diabetes occurs when the hormone that transports sugar to the blood stream for energy, called insulin, is either not produced by the body or is prevented from working. Until recently, pediatric diabetes referred to type 1 diabetes, an autoimmune condition that causes the body to attack the pancreas and stop the production of insulin.
However, with the increasing prevalence of childhood obesity, more and more young people are developing type 2 diabetes, a disease that had previously been diagnosed only in adults. Children with type 2 diabetes are able to produce insulin, but their bodies prevent the insulin from doing its job.
Type 1 diabetes is often detected in children between the ages of six and 10. It can be easily managed when patients and their families are educated about treatments and adhere to healthy lifestyles. Currently, there is no way to prevent type 1 diabetes.
Type 2 diabetes is becoming increasingly prevalent in adolescents and teens with the primary causes being obesity and genetics. And unlike type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes can often be prevented and cured with healthy eating and weight management.
Children with diabetes often experience multiple symptoms at the same time, including the sudden need to drink more fluids and urinate much more frequently, sudden weight loss, difficulty breathing, changes in mental status, visual impairment, fatigue, lethargy, vomiting and belly pain.
Type 2 diabetes can also be characterized by slow-healing sores or frequent infections. Some children with type 2 diabetes have dark patches of skin in the folds of their bodies, which can be a sign of insulin resistance.
How is it Diagnosed
Pediatric diabetes is very manageable, and children with diabetes can go on to live long healthy lives. Advocate Hope Children’s Hospital offers the most accurate diagnostic tests to determine whether a patient is at risk for diabetes or has the disease, as well as the type of diabetes.
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Fasting blood sugar test: A blood sample is taken after an overnight fast to determine blood sugar levels. A fasting blood sugar level of less than 100 is normal. Higher fasting blood sugar levels indicate a high risk for developing diabetes. Fasting blood sugar levels of 126 mg/dL or higher on indicates diabetes.
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Random blood sugar test: A blood sample is taken at a random time to determine blood sugar levels at any given time. A random blood sugar level of 200 or higher indicates diabetes.
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Two-hour glucose test: After an eight-hour fast, a blood sample is taken, and the patient drinks about a cup of glucose mixture. Additional blood samples are taken every 30-60 minutes for two hours. A two-hour blood sugar level of 200 or more indicates diabetes.
How is it Treated?
Patients at Advocate Hope Children’s Hospital have access to a full array of treatments and devices to treat type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
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Insulin injections
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Medications
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Continuous glucose monitoring system: is a device placed under the skin that can measure glucose 24-hours a day, providing physicians more accurate data to determine precise insulin levels for patients with type 1 diabetes.
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Insulin pump: is a device the size of a pager that delivers insulin under the skin, without the need for insulin injections.
Both type 1 and type 2 diabetes are very manageable, and children with diabetes can go on to live long healthy lives. The key to effectively managing pediatric diabetes is treatment, nutrition and familial and community support.
How does Advocate Hope Children’s Hospital Make a Difference?
The Pediatric Diabetes Program at Advocate Hope Children’s Hospital offers a comprehensive approach to caring for young patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes and their families. We provide all components to fully manage the disease, including advanced diagnostics and treatments, extensive physician access and outpatient education programming.
The pediatric diabetes team at Hope Children’s Hospital includes pediatric endocrinologists, pediatric nurses, a dietician, a diabetes educator and a school liaison. Leading the team is pediatric endocrinologist, Dr. Anita Swamy, who has participated in a number of trials for the treatment of diabetes.
Our school liaison works with school nurses and teachers to ensure that sugar checks are conducted and children with diabetes receive the appropriate nutrition at school. Patients and their families also have access to a psychologist to help young patients address the depression that often accompanies a diabetes diagnosis.
Hope Children's Hospital is one of the only institutions to offer an intensive outpatient education program. Patients learn about maintaining optimal blood sugar, blood pressure and cholesterol levels. Parents, extended family and teachers are encouraged to attend the sessions so that they can provide the very best support to young patients with diabetes.
Learn more about diabetes at Advocate Hope Children's Hospital.
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