Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition where the body cannot produce insulin to break down carbohydrates and sugars into energy for your body. The body must acquire insulin from an outside source in order to break down these sugars into energy. When a toddler has diabetes, his parents or caregivers must be in charge of managing his blood sugar levels and insulin, as the toddler does not understand what is happening in his body.
When to Check
According to the University of San Francisco's Benioff Children's Hospital, your toddler's blood sugar level should be checked a minimum of four times a day -- before meals and before going to bed. Other times you should check his sugar levels include two hours after a meal, before and after he engages in physical activity and any time you suspect it may be low. If your toddler's sugar levels have been low during the day or he has been engaging in more physical activity than normal, you should also check his levels during the night.
Recommended Levels
The American Diabetes Association recommends toddlers keep their blood sugar levels slightly higher than older children and adults. Before meals, your toddler's blood sugar levels should be between 100 and 180 mg/dL. Before going to bed, her blood sugar levels should be between 110 and 200 mg/dL. Special care must be taken to prevent hypoglycemia -- low blood sugar levels -- as the possibility of brain damage from hypoglycemia is a larger concern than for older children.
Insulin Delivery Options
You must use insulin to manage your toddler's type 1 diabetes; however, you have options on how to deliver the insulin into his body. If you want to manually deliver the insulin to your toddler, you can use an insulin pen or a syringe. This method puts you in complete control of the amount of insulin your toddler receives. Glucose pumps are also available, which automatically pump predetermined amounts of insulin are into your toddler's body. This method allows your toddler to receive insulin without injections, and can be adjusted depending on his needs. Talk to your toddler's doctor or diabetes educator for advice on your options for insulin delivery.
Special Concerns
The American Diabetes Association notes that toddlers are characterized by their frequent feeding schedules, refusals to eat certain foods and their high amounts of physical activity. This may cause difficulties in determining your toddler's true blood sugar level. Whenever you suspect your toddler may be experiencing hypoglycemia, test his blood sugar level. Apparent temper tantrums may be the result of hypoglycemia, and should not be ignored.
References
- Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation International: What Is Type 1 Diabetes?
- "Diabetes Care"; Care of Children and Adolescents With Type 1 Diabetes -- A Statement of the American Diabetes Association; Janet Silverstein, M.D., et al.; January 2005
- University of California San Francisco Benioff Children's Hospital: Tips for Checking Blood Sugar
- MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Type 1 Diabetes
- Mayo Clinic: Type 1 Diabetes in Children: Treatments and Drugs
