DiabetesCaring for children

with diabetes in a community program

2013-06-26

Diabetes

Type 1 – Pancreas is unable to

produce insulin– Daily insulin injections

requiredType 2

– Pancreas does not produce enough insulin or body does not effectively use insulin

– Insulin may be required

Lack of insulin - used to transport glucose from the blood into cells

Management of Diabetes

Insulin

Food Exercise

Food

• Eat same amount of food (carbohydrates) each day

• Eat same time each day• No trading or disposing of

food• Plan for special events

• Needle & syringe• Insulin pen

• Insulin pump

Community program personnel are not

responsible for giving insulin

Insulin

Exercise

• Regular exercise helps lower blood glucose levels

• Plan for vigorous physical activity – Sports or other physical

activities that take place during meal time require extra planning

– Notify parent/guardian of days that involve extra physical activity

7

Hypoglycemia (low blood glucose)

• Blood glucose below 4 mmol/L• Emergency situation• Can happen within minutes• Possible causes

– not eating enough food– missing or delaying a meal– more physical activity than usual– taking too much insulin

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Signs of Hypoglycemia

• Cold, clammy or sweaty skin• Shakiness; lack of coordination• Irritable, hostile, poor behavior• Tired• Sudden moodiness or behavior change• Difficulty concentrating, confusion• Staggering gait• Child may complain of

– nervousness– excessive hunger– headache– blurred vision– dizziness– abdominal pain or nausea

• Fainting, unconsciousness

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Responding to Hypoglycemia

1. Give child fast-acting sugar.

2. Wait 10-15 minutes. If no improvement, give another fast-acting sugar.

3. Wait 10-15 minutes. If no improvement after 2nd treatment, call parent/guardian.

4. If unable to contact parent/guardian or emergency contact, call 911/EMS.

IF IN DOUBT, TREAT!

If child seizures or

becomes unconsciousness

1. Call 911/EMS.

2. Put child in side lying position.

3. Notify parent/guardian.

DO NOT give food or drink

DO NOT leave the

child alone

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Severe hypoglycemia

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Hyperglycemia (high blood sugar)

Blood glucose higher than child’s target range• Not an emergency situation • Possible causes

– too little insulin– too much food– less than the usual amount

of activity– illness– stress

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Signs of Hyperglycemia

– increased thirst– tiredness– urinating more often

Inform parent/guardian as directed in child’s

health care plan.

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When Child is Sick

1. Contact parent/guardian.2. If child is vomiting and

cannot retain food/fluids and parent/guardian or emergency contact cannot be reached, call 911/EMS.

Child specific information

• Type of diabetes• Location of fast acting sugar • Plans for meals, exercise,

special events and blood glucose monitoring

Health Care Plans are located in child file and binder