Pediatric Diabetes Treatments

If your child has Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, your pediatric endocrinologist will develop a treatment plan. 

Your child’s body cannot manage its blood glucose (sugar) levels, so you and your child will learn how to test and read these. If they have Type 1 diabetes, their body cannot make insulin. If they have Type 2, their body cannot make enough or it resists insulin.

Treating Type 1 Diabetes

If your child has Type 1 diabetes, they will need daily shots of insulin to keep their blood sugar level in normal ranges. Other treatment may include:

• Eating a diet to help manage blood sugar levels
• Exercising to help the body use blood sugar efficiently
• Regular blood testing and urine ketone testing

It’s important to start treating this condition as soon as possible. Children with Type 1 diabetes may develop some of the following complications if not treated properly:

• Ketoacidosis
• Low blood sugar
• Eye problems
• Kidney disease
• Nerve damage
• Skin and foot problems

Treating Type 2 Diabetes

Treating Type 2 diabetes will depend on your child’s symptoms, age and health. It will also depend on how severe the condition is. The goal of treatment is to keep blood glucose levels as close to normal as possible. 

Treatment may include:

• A healthy diet
• Weight loss, if needed
• Regular exercise
• Good hygiene
• Insulin replacement therapy (under the direction of your child's health care provider)
• Regular checking of blood sugar levels
• Other diabetes medicines taken by injection or mouth (oral), if needed

Children with Type 2 diabetes may be at a higher risk of developing other complications if not treated properly:

• High blood pressure
• Depression
• Eating disorders
• Kidney damage
• Eye damage
• Heart disease
• Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease

Treating Cystic Fibrosis-Related Diabetes

Treatment for cystic fibrosis-related diabetes involves insulin but differs in approach from Type 1 diabetes. Children with cystic fibrosis still need to adhere to a diet high in protein, calories, fat and salt. Our endocrinologists can help you plan appropriate plans that will maintain your child’s normal weight and nutrition at the Cystic Fibrosis Center for Excellence.

Help Your Child Live with Diabetes

Embracing the lifestyle changes that your child and family will have to make will make the transition easier. 

• Make it a family ritual to go for a daily walk or bike ride
• Serve more fruits and vegetables with each meal
• Cut back on sugary drinks in the house
• Enforce a limit on screen time for all of your kids
• Enroll your child in a diabetes-specific camp or support group

If you have any questions, please call 210-358-7551. The physician referral fax number is 210-702-4228 and the clinic fax number is 210-358-7595.