A Guide for Grandparents

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Recently your grandchild has developed diabetes. Because you are very important in the care and development of your grandchild, we have put together some information especially for you.

Types of Diabetes

There are primarily two types of diabetes: Insulin dependent diabetes (Type I) and Non-insulin dependent diabetes (type II).

In people with Type I diabetes, the pancreas does not make insulin and insulin injections are required on a daily basis. In people with Type II diabetes, the pancreas either does not make enough insulin or the insulin that is made does not work well enough. This type of diabetes can most often be controlled by diet and exercise. Your grandchild has Type I diabetes.

Nothing that anyone did caused your grandchild's diabetes. There is an inherited factor in that genes are present that made the child prone to developing diabetes. Other factors such as viral illness and a self-allergy response (in which the body attacks its own cells in the pancreas) must also be present. Nothing could have been done to prevent this from happening.

What is Diabetes?

Insulin is a hormone made in the pancreas. Insulin's job is to take the sugar from the foods we eat and allow it to enter the cells of the body. Sugar is the primary source of energy for the cells. In a child with Type I diabetes, the cells cannot get the sugar because of the lack of insulin. The body turns to fat for its energy. Along with the breakdown of fat, there is often weight loss, tiredness, weakness, increased thirst and increased urination. You may have noticed these symptoms when your grandchild was diagnosed. Now that he/she has been started on insulin, these symptoms will disappear and he/she will be as active as before.

What is involved in the care of your grandchild?

Your grandchild will have to test their blood sugars 4 times a day using a blood glucose meter and record the results in a log book. Insulin will be given twice (or sometimes three times) a day. At this time, the only way to give insulin is by injection. Because the insulin is given into the tissue instead of the muscle, the children usually tell us it doesn?t hurt. As children reach the ages of 8-12, they gradually learn to do the testing and injections by themselves. Even though they are doing it themselves, they need to continue to be supervised. It is not uncommon for them to not want to do uit on occasion, in which case the adults will again take the responsibility. Your son or daughter will teach you how to do the testing and injections. They will also teach you about low blood sugar reactions and what to do if one occurs.

Another important part of your grandchild's care is the meal plan. This meal plan is good for your grandchild's growth, as well as for the whole family. It is easier for the child if everyone is eating the same thing. Your grandchild will have three meals and two or three snacks each day. It is important for your grandchild to eat a consistent amount of food at each meal and snack and to eat meals and snacks on schedule. Your son or daughter will share the meal plan with you.

Quite often grandparents love to reward their grandchildren with special treats, the most common being food. Remember that a special treat can always be in the form of trips to the zoo, museum, ball games, or toys and games. If you want to give your grandchild cake or ice cream, just ask Mom or Dad how much he/she can have and try to have it during a planned meal/ snack time.

Your grandchild needs your love and support as he/she adjusts to having diabetes. Children with diabetes can continue to be active with their friends and involved in sports or other activities just as they were before their diagnosis.

We try very hard to be as flexible as possible with children, while helping them maintain good blood sugars. If the above suggestions are followed, we believe your grandchild will grow up to be a healthy, active and happy adult!

All material presented in this web site was developed by the faculty and staff at Riley Hospital for Children, Indiana University School of Medicine, and Clarian Health.

[Keywords: insulin dependent diabetes, Type I, Non-insulin dependent diabetes, type II, pancreas, insulin injections, inherited, genes, hormone, blood sugar, blood glucose meter]

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