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Endocrinology, Diabetes, and Metabolism

Diagnosis & Treatment

Childhood Diabetes (Type 1 Diabetes)

Find a diabetes specialist

How is Type 1 Diabetes Diagnosed?

Diagnosis

Several tests are available to diagnose type 1 diabetes in children. If your child is experiencing symptoms, your doctor may use the following tests to confirm a diagnosis:

  • Random blood sugar test. This test measures the amount of sugar in the bloodstream without fasting beforehand.
  • Fasting blood sugar test. This test measures the amount of sugar in the bloodstream after fasting from food and drink, usually overnight or at least eight hours before testing.
  • A1C test, which is also known as a glycated hemoglobin test. This test measures the average blood sugar level over a period of three months.

High blood sugar levels detected from these tests can indicate diabetes, but a doctor can use an autoantibody test to dfferentiate between type 1 and type 2 diabetes. The presence of autoantibodies will suggest that the immune system is attacking the cells in the pancreas that create insulin, which is characteristic of type 1 diabetes but not type 2.

How is Type 1 Diabetes Treated?

Treatments

We take a team approach to controlling diabetes, uniting the expertise and skills of pediatric endocrinologists, pediatric nurse educators, and pediatric and child life specialists who share a passion for improving the lives of young people with diabetes. We utilize the most up-to-date diabetes technology to take care of our patients and help all patients live life to the fullest while managing their diabetes. We approach each patient as an individual with compassionate and personalized care.

These type 1 diabetes treatments may include insulin treatments, monitoring blood sugar, and lifestyle changes.

About Our Programs

About Our Programs

We offer pediatric diabetes care through the following programs, both of which offer state-of-the-art personalized care.

The Naomi Berrie Diabetes Center at NewYork-Presbyterian/Columbia University Irving Medical Center in upper Manhattan, a Diabetes Center of Excellence, has been cited by the American Diabetes Association for its quality care. The Berrie Center offers special services for your child and family and guidance about how to live a healthy life with diabetes.

The Weill Cornell Medicine Pediatric Diabetes Program at NewYork-Presbyterian Komansky Children’s Hospital on the Upper East Side of Manhattan serves as a supportive medical “home” for your child and family and offers state-of-the-art diabetes care and education.

FAQs

FAQs

According to the American Diabetes Association, close to 1.9 million Americans have type 1 diabetes. Of those, roughly 244,000 are children or adolescents.

The primary difference between type 1 and type 2 diabetes is that with type 1 diabetes, your immune system attacks the cells in the pancreas that produce insulin. With type 2 diabetes, your cells do not respond appropriately to the insulin created by the pancreas. With both conditions, the cells’ ability to use sugar for energy is compromised, and blood sugar levels are impacted.

There is no cure for type 1 diabetes at this time, but new breakthroughs with treatments and medicines are constantly evolving, allowing individuals with this condition to manage their blood sugar levels and live healthy, fulfilling lives.

Some children may be born with type 1 diabetes, though many individuals develop this condition later in life. Research suggests that certain genes may increase a person’s likelihood of developing the condition.
Get Care

Comprehensive Childhood Cancer Care from NewYork-Presbyterian

Diabetes in children and teenagers needs to be identified promptly and treated effectively to reduce the chance of long-term complications. If your child has type 1 (juvenile) diabetes, type 2 diabetes, or a “pre-diabetes” condition such as insulin resistance, NewYork-Presbyterian offers programs designed for young patients.

Our medical professionals have an expert understanding of the symptoms, and our diabetes centers are nationally recognized for their high-quality care. We understand that hearing that your child has diabetes is scary, and we know you have lots of questions. Our teams are here to guide you and your child every step of the way.

Schedule an appointment with NewYork-Presbyterian’s team of dedicated and compassionate healthcare specialists to explore your child’s care options.