Program for Childhood Diabetes
The diabetes program gives you & your child the tools you need to help manage your diabetes.
Our goal is to provide excellent patient care, teaching and research in all aspects of pediatric diabetes.
Click to watch our video discussion about childhood diabetes
Frequently Asked Questions about Diabetes
Q. What is diabetes?
A. Insulin dependent (or Type I) diabetes is a condition characterized by a lack of insulin, a pancreatic hormone that controls the blood glucose (sugar). Because there is not enough insulin, the cells starve causing the body to use fat for energy resulting in weight loss. In addition, the elevated blood sugar causes sugar to be "spilled" into the urine, causing frequent urination, dehydration, and extreme thirst.
Q. What are the symptoms of diabetes?
A. The symptoms of insulin-dependent diabetes include; frequent urination, extreme thirst, hunger and weight loss. This may progress to diabetic ketoacidosis characterized by vomiting, dehydration, rapid breathing to compensate for acidosis, and a fruity odor to the breath.
Q. What does Cohen Children’s program for childhood diabetes include?
A. The program consists of multi-disciplinary treatment in two phases; a brief hospital phase for newly-diagnosed children (those with diabetic ketoacidosis will usually be cared for in intensive care) and a follow-up phase in the outpatient department.
What can be expected during the initial phase of treatment?
- Implementation of a flexible medical treatment plan to stabilize blood sugars with instruction on the self-administration of insulin
- Teaching of self-management skill.
- Nutrition education
- Psychosocial assessment
- Educating both child and family on living with diabetes
What can be expected during the follow-up and long-term phases?
- Frequent telephone contact with the diabetes team during the first days at home and then as needed
- As needed telephone contact with a diabetes nurse educator
- Visits with a nutritionist and a social worker
- Appointments with diabetes team members: a nurse-educator, a nutritionist, a social worker and a doctor at regular intervals
