Managing diabetes in children and young people (for families)

Type 1 Diabetes occurs when the body is unable to produce insulin

Type 2 Diabetes (Diabetes Mellitus) occurs when the body cannot produce insulin, or the body makes insulin but it does not work properly.

A diagnosis of diabetes is usually unexpected and can be very stressful for the whole family. Families share their experience.

How to measure and record your blood glucose levels

How to give insulin injections with a syringe or pen

The types of insulin, how they work and the different treatment regimens for giving insulin

Hypoglycaemia is when your child's blood sugar level drops too low

What to do when blood sugar levels fall to a level where a child becomes unconscious or passes out

What to do when your child is sick

Keeping active is an important part of a healthy lifestyle for all children, including children and young people with diabetes.

Children and young people with diabetes need to eat the same healthy foods as any other child or young person

Preparing for your child with diabetes to return back to preschool/school after diagnosis

Mini-dose glucagon can be administered for the treatment of persistent mild hypoglycaemia or to prevent the blood glucose levels falling too low.

Making adjustments to insulin doses once your child's blood glucose levels have stabilised

The overall goal for children with diabetes is to keep daily blood glucose levels and HbA1c within the recommended target range without frequent hypoglycaemia

Some medications can cause problems with the production and effectiveness of insulin

This is a form of diabetes that occurs in people who have Cystic Fibrosis

Discharge advice for families