Introduction

This information sheet has been written to provide schools with the information that they need to provide support for a child with diabetes. However, it can only give general information. For advice and information about individual children, schools should always involve the parents/carers of the child with diabetes and his/her diabetes care team. The diabetes specialist nurse (DSN), who will be a member of the diabetes care team, will be a central point of contact and should be able to advise the school.

What is Diabetes?

Diabetes mellitus is a condition in which the amount of glucose (sugar) in the blood is too high because the body cannot use it properly. Glucose comes from the digestion of starchy foods such as bread, rice, potatoes, chapatis, yams and plantain, from sugar and other sweet foods, and from the liver which makes glucose.

Insulin is vital for life. It is a hormone produced by the pancreas, which helps the glucose to enter the cells where it is used as fuel by the body. The main symptoms of untreated diabetes are increased thirst, going to the loo all the time – especially at night, extreme tiredness, weight loss, genital itching or regular episodes of thrush, and blurred vision.

Type 1 (insulin dependent) diabetes develops if the body is unable to produce any insulin. This type of diabetes usually appears before the age of 40 and is the most common type in children. It is treated by insulin injections and diet.

Type 2 (non insulin dependent) diabetes develops when the body can still make some insulin, but not enough, or when the insulin that is produced does not work properly (known as insulin resistance). This type of diabetes usually appears in people over the age of 40, although it does sometimes occur in children, especially if they are overweight. It is treated by diet and exercise alone or by diet and tablets or, sometimes, by diet and insulin injections.

The main aim of treatment of both types of diabetes in children is to achieve near normal blood glucose levels. This, together with a healthy lifestyle, will help to improve well being and protect against long-term damage to the eyes, kidneys, nerves, heart and major arteries.

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