Diabetes in children is even more dangerous than the diabetes in adults. Children who have diabetes will always need insulin treatment if they are to grow and thrive, and since when they leave hospital the parents must take on the responsibility of the children’s daily diet and injections. This is an important situation in which the parents of children with diabetes must be helped.
The dietician who prepares the foods of children with diabetes ought to understand children as well as diets. They must be given food they will eat and it must compare favorably with what the other children in the world are having for dinner. Very strict adherence with diets can not be expected with toddlers who will get sweets off their companions.
Children with diabetes can easily be taught to give their own injections if they are of average intelligence, and they are proud to do it. A mature eight- year old will learn to draw up and give insulin, and by ten years all may be expected to. Urine testing by tablet methods is easy to perform, and children will keep their own charts to bring to the clinic or their doctor.
Hypoglycemia may be signalized not only by the usual symptoms, but by any unusual behavior. It is shaking o the self-confidence, and should not be allowed to happen often. Diabetic coma used to be a great danger to children, especially before they were diagnosed, but it is not now frequently seen, and the young diabetic can look forward to a long and healthy life if he has the support of his parents during his early days.
Diabetes in children can easily be checked if the above management, control and treatment measures stated above are judiciously adhered to.
So, parents, the ball should be on your court now as to managing diabetes in your children. Diabetes in children should be taken more serious than that of the elderly. The reason is that the children are the leaders of tomorrow, without the children, there may be no tomorrow. Act right to enjoy the fruit of your labour.