After a child has been diagnosed with diabetes, the American Diabetes Association recommends the following schedule for health screening:

Every Three Months
  • A1c, a measurement of average blood glucose control

  • Height and weight

  • Body mass index

  • Blood pressure

  • Examination of injection sites

  • Review of self-testing blood glucose records

  • Testing for psychological problems

Diabetic child's health screening
Many basic health screenings must be conducted every three months
for diabetic children.

Annually
  • Evaluation of nutrition therapy

  • Microalbuminuria test for signs of kidney disease after a child turns ten and has had diabetes for at least five years

  • Ophthalmologic exam, for signs of retinopathy, starting at around age ten and after the child has had diabetes for three to five years

  • Thyroid function test (for children with type 1 diabetes)

  • Foot exam
Other Tests
  • Blood lipids, such as cholesterol and triglycerides, as recommended by your child's physician

  • Your child's eye doctor may decide that less-frequent exams are permissible

  • Screen for celiac disease, an autoimmune disease that's more common in children with type 1 diabetes

Routine Maintenance
Until your child can assume all of the responsibilities of managing diabetes, you must assume the role of in-house health care worker, diabetes educator, and cheerleader. Maintaining tight glucose control will spare your child long-term complications, as will instilling the principles of good diabetes self-care.
  • Test glucose levels often; experts recommend four to eight times per day.

  • Take all diabetes medications on schedule.

  • Maintain glucose meters and insulin-delivery equipment (syringes, pens, and pumps).

  • Bring your child for quarterly and annual medical checkups.

  • Update your child's diabetes medical management plan. Be sure the nurse and officials at his or her school have a copy of the latest version.

  • Ensure that your child is getting plenty of exercise and eating a healthy, balanced diet.

For more information on diabetes, try the following links:
  • Diabetes and Children: If your child has diabetes, he or she will have different needs than an adult. Find out how to manage your child's disease.
  • Diabetes Treatment: Living with any form of this disease means keeping a steady blood-sugar level. Find out how to treat the main types of diabetes.
  • Diabetes: This disorder in the blood can affect most of your organs. Learn how it works here.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:

Timothy Gower is a freelance writer and the author of several books. His work has appeared in many magazines and newspapers, including Prevention, Health, Reader's Digest, Better Homes and Gardens, Men's Health, Esquire, Fortune, The New York Times, and The Los Angeles Times.

ABOUT THE CONSULTANTS:

Dana Armstrong, R.D., C.D.E., received her degree in nutrition and dietetics from the University of California, Davis, and completed her dietetic internship at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in Omaha. She has developed educational programs that have benefited more than 5,000 patients with diabetes. She specializes in and speaks nationally on approaches to disease treatment, specifically diabetes.

Allen Bennett King, M.D., F.A.C.P., F.A.C.E., C.D.E. is the author of more than 50 papers in medical science and speaks nationally on new advances in diabetes. He is an associate clinical professor at the University of California Natividad Medical Center and cofounder and medical director of the Diabetes Care Center in Salinas, California.

This information is solely for informational purposes. IT IS NOT INTENDED TO PROVIDE MEDICAL ADVICE. Neither the Editors of Consumer Guide (R), Publications International, Ltd., the author nor publisher take responsibility for any possible consequences from any treatment, procedure, exercise, dietary modification, action or application of medication which results from reading or following the information contained in this information. The publication of this information does not constitute the practice of medicine, and this information does not replace the advice of your physician or other health care provider. Before undertaking any course of treatment, the reader must seek the advice of their physician or other health care provider.