What lifestyle management can help type 1 diabetes in kids?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am writing to seek your advice regarding my 6-year-old daughter, who was recently diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. We received her blood work back, and her fasting blood sugar level was 220 mg/dL, her HbA1c was 8.5 percent, and her C-peptide level was extremely low at 0.4 ng/mL.

We have also noticed that she is excessively thirsty, urinating frequently (even wetting the bed at night), and has lost weight rapidly over the past few months. She often complains of fatigue, and just yesterday, she mentioned a tingling sensation in her hands and feet.

She has also been unusually irritable and has had a couple of episodes where she seemed confused or dazed. What insulin regimen would be most suitable for her age? Are there any specific dietary changes or lifestyle adjustments we should implement right away?

Kindly suggest.

Thank you.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com

I understand your concern.

For young children with type 1 diabetes (a condition where the pancreas produces little or no insulin), a ‘basal-bolus insulin regimen’ is often recommended. This involves:

Basal insulin which provides a steady level of insulin throughout the day and night. Common options include long-acting insulins like Insulin glargine or Insulin detemir.
Bolus insulin, which is administered before meals to manage the rise in blood sugar from food. Short-acting insulins like Insulin aspart, Insulin lispro, or Insulin glulisine are used.

Consult a specialist doctor online or in person for tailoring the insulin doses to her specific needs, considering her age, weight, and daily activity levels. Continuous glucose monitors (CGMs) might also be recommended to help track her blood sugar levels throughout the day.

Dietary changes that can help you include a balanced diet. Focus on the following:

Consistent carbohydrate intake helps stabilize blood sugar levels. Use carbohydrate counting to determine insulin doses accurately.
High-fiber foods include vegetables, whole grains, and legumes to slow down glucose absorption.
Healthy fats and proteins involve balanced meals with sources like lean meats, nuts, and avocados.

Lifestyle adjustments to make are:

Check her blood sugar levels frequently to manage her condition effectively.
Involve her in understanding her condition in an age-appropriate manner and ensure she knows how to recognize symptoms of high or low blood sugar.

Consult with a pediatric endocrinologist to fine-tune her treatment plan and ensure comprehensive care, including regular follow-ups to adjust her insulin regimen as needed.

I hope this helps.

Kindly follow up if you have more concerns.

Thank you.