Peads: Diabetes in children Flashcards
Types of diabetes in childhood
Type 1 Diabetes
- 92-99% of all diabetes in children
- Approx 50% is genetic- polygenic
Type 2 Diabetes
- 1-5 %
- about 40% is genetic-polygenic
MODY
- <1%
- 100 % genetic- monogenic
Secondary
- CF Related Diabetes (CFRD)
- Steroid induced
Simple pathophysiology of Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus
Absolute insulin deficiency secondary to beta -cell destruction
Diagnostic criteria fr T1DM
- Elevated random sugar (>11.1 mmol/l) + presence of symptoms
- Polyuria
- Polydipsia
- Weight loss
- Lethargy
- Fasting glucose of >7.0 mmol/l
- Positive OGTT
Possible aetiology of T1DM
- Genetic
- Immune mediated
- Islet cell, insulin, GAD auto-antibodies →positive in children with T1DM
- Various other hypothesis
Prevalence of diabetes mellitus in children in the UK
- Affects 1 in 450 children in the UK
- 26,500 affected children in the UK
- Incidence in the UK is increasing by 4% per year
Functions of glucose
- Primary cellular fuel
- Glucose metabolism via mitochondria generates ATP which is cellular form of energy
Sources of glucose
- Gut absorption
- Glycogen
- Gluconeogenesis
What are the cells in the pancreas?
Exocrine and Endocrine functions:
- Islets of Langerhans(1-2% of mass)
- Beta cells (70%)- insulin
Insulin actions on the liver
Liver
- Promotes glucose storage as glycogen
- Prevents glycogen breakdown
- Reduces Alanine (gluconeogenic precursor)
- Prevents ketonogenesis
Insulin actions on the muscle
Muscle
- Promotes Glucose uptake
- Inhibits glycogenolysis and promotes glycogen synthesis
- Increases uptake of Alanine (amino acid)
Insulin action on Adipose tissue
Adipose Tissue
- Promotes glucose uptake and conversion to triglyceride
- Prevents lipolysis of triglyceride into FFA and Glycerol
Ketogenesis in the liver
- FFA → ketones (acetoactate and 3 oH butyrate)
- Ketones makes you sick →DKA

Insulin Regime options
- MDI (Multiple daily Insulin)
- SCII (Sub-cutaneous Insulin infusion)
- Twice daily premixed insulin
Aims of insulin treatments
- Mimicking of physiological insulin secretion
- Normal or near normal blood glucose
- Minimisation of symptoms
- Prevention of complications
Normal levels of insulin delivery (in a healthy pancreas)
In the normal pancreas:
- low background level (basal) secretion of insulin throughout the day and night
- spikes of increased secretion of insulin with meals and snacks to deal with the carbohydrate from that meal
Advantages and disadvantages of Basal Bolus
Advantages
- Much more flexibility
- Can alter doses according to size of meal
- Less need to have between meal snacks
- If child unwell & not eating can omit doses of fast insulin
Disadvantages
- At least 4 injections a day
- Need injection at school
Components of insulin pump

Advantages of SC insulin infusion (insulin pump)
Advantages
- No need for injections
- Fine tuning of doses
- Picky eaters/grazers
- Boluses in school
- Sport
- Independence
- Easier to bolus in company
Disadvantages of SC insulin pump
Disadvantages
- Expensive
- Need to wear all the time
- Visible sign of diabetes
- Intensive treatment
- Risk of DKA
Advantages and disadvantages of BD mixtures regimen
Advantages
- Convenient
- Only 2 injections a day
- No injections in school
Disadvantages
- Lack of flexibility
- Have to be up & injected by 9am at latest
- Have to have 3 snacks a day & 3 meals a day
- Difficult to adjust
Education for a child with DM
- Dietary education and healthy food behaviours
- Understanding carbohydrate intake
- Support and understanding and advice on child and families habits and activities
- Education on the insulins used, administration options, and their actions
- Continuing education and support to facilitate good glycaemic control whilst avoiding significant hypoglycaemia
What’s carbohydrate counting?
Adjusting insulin dose based on the carbohydrate content of the food eaten
How often to monitor blood sugar levels?
- very important to monitor regularly
- ideally pre meals + 2 hours after + waking + bedtime
- New NICE recommendation is to monitor 6-8 times a day
What are the target blood sugar levels?
- 4-7 pre-meals
- 5-9 post meals
- >5 driving


