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Insulin Therapy in Children

Type 1 diabetes in children is normally treated with insulin therapy. Type 1 diabetes occurs when the child's pancreas no longer produces enough insulin. Insulin given in injections or by pump is the most common procedure to treat type 1 diabetes in children.

  1. Insulin Types and Injections

    • Insulin needs to be administered by injection or pump into the body for type 1 diabetes because enzymes in the stomach interfere with oral insulin medication. Inject insulin from a fine needle or syringe provided by your doctor into the arm of your child. Insulin comes in different types depending on your child's needs. A fast-acting insulin such as Humalog works within five to 15 minutes of injection. Regular insulin such as Novolin R works within 30 minutes, and a long-lasting insulin such as Lantus works for almost 24 hours. Your doctor may use a combination of insulin types to treat your child, depending on the severity of the disease.

    Insulin Pumps

    • Insulin may be administered by a pump instead of injection. Your doctor inserts a catheter under the skin in the abdomen of your child. A tube connects to the catheter and to a small pump that carries insulin. The pump is programmed to release specific amounts of insulin at certain times into your child's body. Program the pump to allow for meals and activities according to your doctor's instructions.

    Blood Glucose Monitoring

    • Careful monitoring of blood glucose levels in your child helps to reveal when blood sugar is spiking or falling to low levels. Test your child at least three times a day with a finger stick. Proper monitoring makes sure your child's blood sugar is remaining in its target range. Your child's blood glucose may fluctuate during certain activities such as exercise or playing sports so it is important to make sure she has adequate insulin in her bloodstream before performing these activities.

    Other Concerns

    • Keep track of foods your child eats as this also determines how much insulin should be given. A meal higher in carbohydrates will need more insulin to help break down the food. Check other medications your child is taking as they may interfere with insulin absorption. Contact your doctor if your child is sick and has a fever as blood sugar tends to rise during illness. You may need to give your child higher doses of insulin when sickness occurs, but discuss any changes of insulin doses with your doctor first.

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