Treating diabetes is a team effort. You (the parents or guardians) and the child are the most important members of this team, working closely with the child's doctor, who may be a pediatrician or an endocrinologist.
In addition, the care team may include:
- A diabetes educator (often a nurse)
- A dietitian
- A psychologist or other counselor
- A pharmacist
- An exercise specialist
The diabetes team will help you and your child master these skills:
- Drawing up
insulin and giving shots - Doing finger-stick blood tests
- Doing a simple test with strips or tablets to measure the concentration of
ketones in the urine when the child is ill or bloodglucose levels are high - Adjusting meals and snacks to meet the child's needs
- Getting plenty of exercise and adjusting food or insulin to accommodate changes in insulin requirements that exercise brings
- Handling sick days and emergencies
