Diabetes in Children

Diabetes in Children

Ninety-five percent of adults with diabetes have type 2 diabetes. The statistics are reversed for children, in whom the incidence of diabetes cases is overwhelmingly type 1. While the incidence of type 2 in children is growing, it remains quite rare.

Whether a child has type 1 or type 2 diabetes, treating diabetes in children has special challenges, such as:

  • A growing child’s nutritional needs are different from those of an adult.
  • There is a need to educate not just the child’s family, but also their school, and any care providers.
  • Diabetes and its treatment must be explained to the child in an age-appropriate way.
  • Children can be extremely physically active, especially if they play sports. If the child has type 1, a very active day may lead to sudden drops in blood glucose.
  • Children with type 1 diabetes may require as many as six to eight injections of insulin and eight to twelve finger sticks daily.

Click here to listen as pediatric endocrinologist Dr. Saleh Adi discusses the importance of continuity of care and a diabetes home base for children to get consistent medical oversight as they grow.

Until very recently, Marin parents seeking specialized care for a child with diabetes had to go to San Francisco. In order to provide parents with local access to the finest pediatric diabetes care, MarinHealth collaborates with the UCSF Madison Clinic for Pediatric Diabetes, which gives patients local access to endocrinologists and specially trained pediatric nurses and dietitians who are also certified diabetes educators.

Special Expertise from UCSF Health Madison Clinic for Pediatric Diabetes Right Here in Marin

As a satellite location of the UCSF Madison Clinic for Pediatric Diabetes, our Braden Diabetes Center’s Childhood Diabetes Program provides outpatient education and support for pediatric patients.

  • One-on-one visits to assess hemoglobin A1C, growth measurements and monitoring, and blood sugar trend evaluation by continuous glucose monitoring downloads.
  • Recommendations for managing blood sugar and adjusting insulin doses are tailored to the needs of young patients.
  • Diabetes management information, including intensive insulin management, pump training, continuous glucose monitoring, and medical nutrition therapy.
  • Collaborative appointments in which children and their families can receive additional diabetes education from certified diabetes educators, including nurses and a dietitian.
  • Age-appropriate educational materials for pre-, middle, and high school students, including books, websites, and apps.
  • Educational outreach to teachers, principals, and support staff in Marin County schools.