Typically, you or your child test his or her blood glucose before every meal and at bedtime and occasionally during the middle of the night. But you or your child may need to check it more often if your child doesn't have a continuous glucose monitor.

Frequent testing is the only way to make sure that your child's blood sugar level remains within the target range.

A continuous glucose monitor, on the left, is a device that measures your blood sugar every few minutes using a sensor inserted under the skin.

An insulin pump, attached to the pocket, is a device that's worn outside of the body with a tube that connects the reservoir of insulin to a catheter inserted under the skin of the abdomen.

Insulin pumps are programmed to deliver specific amounts of insulin automatically and when you eat. Continuous glucose monitoring CGM devices measure your blood sugar every few minutes using a temporary sensor inserted under the skin.

Some devices show your blood sugar reading at all times on a receiver or your smartphone or smartwatch, while others require that you check your blood sugar by running the receiver over the sensor. A closed loop system is a device implanted in the body that links a continuous glucose monitor to an insulin pump.

The monitor checks blood sugar levels regularly. The device automatically delivers the right amount of insulin when the monitor shows that it's needed. The Food and Drug Administration has approved several hybrid closed loop systems for type 1 diabetes.

They are called "hybrid" because these systems require some input from the user. For example, you may have to tell the device how many carbohydrates are eaten, or confirm blood sugar levels from time to time. A closed loop system that doesn't need any user input isn't available yet. But more of these systems currently are in clinical trials.

Food is a big part of any diabetes treatment plan, but that doesn't mean your child has to follow a strict "diabetes diet. Your child's registered dietitian can help you create a meal plan that fits your child's food preferences and health goals, as well as help you plan for occasional treats.

The dietitian will also teach you how to count carbohydrates in foods so that you can use that information when figuring out insulin doses. But remember that physical activity can affect blood sugar. This effect on blood sugar levels can remain for hours after exercise, possibly even overnight.

You or your child might need to adjust your child's meal plan or insulin doses for the increased activity. If your child begins a new activity, check your child's blood sugar more often than usual until you and your child learn how his or her body reacts to the activity.

Make physical activity part of your child's daily routine. Encourage your child to get at least 60 minutes of physical activity daily or, better yet, exercise with your child. Blood sugar can sometimes change unpredictably. During these challenges, more frequent blood sugar testing can help identify problems and guide treatment.

Ask your child's diabetes treatment team how to handle these and other challenges:. Your child will need regular appointments to ensure good diabetes management. This can include a review of your child's blood sugar patterns, insulin needs, eating and physical activity.

Your health care provider also checks your child's A1C levels. Despite your best efforts, sometimes problems will arise. Certain short-term complications of type 1 diabetes require immediate care or they could become very serious, including:.

Hypoglycemia is a blood sugar level below your child's target range. Blood sugar levels can drop for many reasons, including skipping a meal, getting more physical activity than typical or injecting too much insulin.

Low blood sugar is not uncommon in people with type 1 diabetes, but if it isn't treated quickly, symptoms will get worse. Teach your child the symptoms of low blood sugar. When in doubt, he or she should always do a blood sugar test.

If a blood glucose meter isn't readily available and your child is having symptoms of a low blood sugar, treat for low blood sugar, and then test as soon as possible. If a low blood sugar causes your child to lose consciousness, an emergency injection of a hormone that stimulates the release of sugar into the blood glucagon may be necessary.

Hyperglycemia is a blood sugar level above your child's target range. Blood sugar levels can rise for many reasons, including illness, eating too much, eating certain types of foods and not taking enough insulin.

If you suspect a high blood sugar level, test your child's blood sugar. If the blood sugar is higher than the target range, follow your child's diabetes treatment plan or check with your child's health care provider.

High blood sugar levels don't come down quickly, so ask how long to wait until you check the blood sugar again. A severe lack of insulin causes your child's body to break down fat for energy. This causes the body to produce a substance called ketones.

Excess ketones build up in your child's blood, creating a potentially life-threatening condition known as diabetic ketoacidosis. If you suspect DKA , check your child's urine for excess ketones.

If the ketone levels are high, call your child's health care provider or seek emergency care. Explore Mayo Clinic studies testing new treatments, interventions and tests as a means to prevent, detect, treat or manage this condition.

Following a diabetes treatment plan requires hour care and significant lifestyle changes. Careful management of type 1 diabetes helps reduce your child's risk of serious complications. The habits you teach your child today will help him or her enjoy an active and healthy life with type 1 diabetes.

You'll need to work with your child's day care provider or school nurse and teachers to make sure they know the signs and symptoms of high and low blood sugar levels.

The school nurse might need to administer insulin or check your child's blood sugar levels. Federal law protects children with diabetes, and schools must make reasonable accommodations to ensure that all children get a proper education.

Contact your child's health care provider, certified diabetes care and education specialist, or registered dietitian between appointments if you have questions. If managing your child's diabetes seems overwhelming, take it one day at a time. Some days you'll manage your child's blood sugar ideally and on other days, it may seem as if nothing works well.

No one can do it perfectly. But your efforts are worthwhile. Don't forget that you're not alone and that your diabetes treatment team can help. Diabetes can affect your child's emotions both directly and indirectly.

Poorly controlled blood sugar can cause behavior changes, such as irritability. Diabetes can also make your child feel different from other kids. Having to draw blood and give shots sets kids with diabetes apart from their peers. Getting your child together with other children who have diabetes or spending time at a diabetes camp may help your child feel less alone.

People with diabetes have an increased risk of depression, anxiety and diabetes-related distress. That's why some diabetes specialists regularly include a social worker or psychologist as part of their diabetes care team.

If you notice that your child or adolescent is persistently sad or pessimistic, or experiences dramatic changes in sleeping habits, weight, friends or school performance, have your child screened for depression.

Rebellion also may be an issue, particularly for teens. A child who has been very good about sticking to his or her diabetes treatment plan may rebel in the teen years by ignoring his or her diabetes care.

Additionally, experimenting with drugs, alcohol and smoking can be even more dangerous for people with diabetes. Talking to a counselor or therapist may help your child or you cope with the dramatic lifestyle changes that come with a diagnosis of type 1 diabetes.

Your child may find encouragement and understanding in a type 1 diabetes support group for children. Support groups for parents also are available. If you're interested, your health care provider may be able to recommend a group in your area. Websites that offer support include:.

The threat of complications from poorly managed diabetes can be frightening. If you and your child work with your child's health care provider and do your best to manage your child's diabetes, your child will likely live a long and enjoyable life. Your child's primary care provider will probably make the initial diagnosis of type 1 diabetes.

Hospitalization may be needed to stabilize your child's blood sugar levels. Your child's long-term diabetes care will likely be handled by a pediatric endocrinologist.

Your child's health care team also generally includes a certified diabetes care and education specialist, a registered dietitian, and a social worker.

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This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. Diagnosis There are several blood tests for type 1 diabetes in children. These tests are used to diagnose diabetes and to monitor diabetes management: Random blood sugar test.

This is the primary screening test for type 1 diabetes. A blood sample is taken at a random time. Has an illness, such as influenza flu or an infection. Takes a medicine that raises blood sugar as a side effect.

Examples include medicines that reduce inflammation corticosteroids and some decongestants. Starts puberty. Hormonal changes affect how well the body uses insulin.

These changes can cause higher blood sugar levels. How can you prevent high blood sugar? Know the symptoms of high blood sugar. Symptoms of high blood sugar include feeling very thirsty, feeling very tired, and urinating more than usual. Post a list of the symptoms in a place where you and your child can see it often, such as on your refrigerator door.

Add any symptoms your child has had that aren't on the list. Check your child's blood sugar often. This is especially important when your child is sick or is not following a normal routine.

A child may not have symptoms of high blood sugar. Testing lets you see when your child's blood sugar is above the target range, even if your child doesn't have symptoms. Keep a record of high blood sugar levels. Write down your child's symptoms and how you treated them.

Take the record with you when you see your child's doctor. Call your doctor if your child often has high blood sugar or if the blood sugar level is often above the target range.

Your child's medicine may need to be adjusted or changed. Teach others about high blood sugar. Show other people involved in your child's care how to check your child's blood sugar.

Keep instructions for using the blood sugar meter with the meter. Make sure they know the symptoms of high blood sugar. Teach them what to do in case of an emergency.

Have a plan for dealing with high blood sugar. Your doctor will give your child blood sugar goals and recommend ways to treat high blood sugar. Follow these instructions when your child's blood sugar is high. Treat infections early.

Infections that aren't treated can raise your child's risk for a high blood sugar emergency. Give your child's medicines as prescribed. Offer plenty of fluids.

If your child's blood sugar levels are above the target range, offer extra liquids. This can help prevent dehydration. Water and sugar-free drinks are best. Avoid caffeinated drinks, regular soda pop, fruit juice, and other liquids that have a lot of sugar.

Have your child wear medical identification at all times. Related Information High and Low Blood Sugar Level Record for a Child Steps for Dealing With High Blood Sugar Symptoms of High Blood Sugar.

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