Diabetes Health Center

Is this topic for you?

This topic is about type 1 diabetes in children age 11 years and younger. Before you read this topic, you may want to read Type 1 Diabetes: Recently Diagnosed.

If this topic does not answer your questions, one of the following topics may meet your needs.

• Type 1 Diabetes, if you want to learn about type 1 diabetes but do not have the disease
• Type 1 Diabetes: Recently Diagnosed, if you have been told recently that you or your child has type 1 diabetes
• Type 1 Diabetes: Living With the Disease, if you or your teen has type 1 diabetes. If you have not read the topic Type 1 Diabetes: Recently Diagnosed, you may want to read it first.
• Type 1 Diabetes: Living With Complications, if you have complications, such as problems with your eyes, kidneys, heart, blood vessels, or nerves, caused by diabetes

What is type 1 diabetes?

Type 1 diabetes is a lifelong disease that develops when the pancreas stops making insulin. Your body needs insulin to let sugar (glucose) move from the blood into the body's cells, where it can be used for energy or stored for later use.

Without insulin, the sugar cannot get into the cells to do its work. It stays in the blood instead. This can cause high blood sugar levels. A person has diabetes when the blood sugar is too high.

What will it be like for your child to live with type 1 diabetes?

Your child can live a long, healthy life by learning to manage his or her diabetes. It will become a big part of your and your child’s life.

You play a major role in helping your child take charge of his or her diabetes care. Let your child do as much of the care as possible. At the same time, give your child the support and guidance he or she needs.

How can you manage diabetes?

The key to managing diabetes is to keep blood sugar levels in a target range. To do this, your child needs to take insulin, eat about the same amount of carbohydrate at each meal, and exercise. Part of your child’s daily routine also includes checking his or her blood sugar levels at certain times, as advised by your doctor.

The longer a person has diabetes, the more likely he or she is to have problems, such as diseases of the eyes, heart, blood vessels, nerves, and kidneys. For some reason, children seem protected from these problems during childhood. But if your child can control his or her blood sugar levels every day, it may help prevent problems later on.

What symptoms should you watch for?