What To Do When Your Diabetic Child Becomes Sick

Managing a child’s diabetes is a increasingly hard to manage, never mind when he or she becomes sick.  The American Diabetes Association offers these suggestions:

Do not stop providing your child with insulin, even if he/she lacks an appetite.  Call your family physician if you are unsure as to how to administer insulin on a sick day.

Do not make any significant diet changes.  If the child suffers from an upset stomach, offer carbohydrate liquids, such as broth, gelatin, sports drinks, fruit juice and frozen fruit bars

Ensure the child maintains hydration and drinks lots of water, but avoid caffeinated drinks

Check with your family doctor before administering any over-the-counter drugs.  Many medications contain sugar and/or alcohol that may affect the child’s blood glucose levels.

It is critical to attentively monitor the child’s blood glucose and ketone levels during a period of illness.  The blood should therefore be checked every few hours and urine several times a day.