Specialized Care for the Diverse Needs of Children With Diabetes
Home to one of the first dedicated pediatric endocrinology and diabetes programs in the southeastern U.S., Nicklaus Children’s Hospital’s Pediatric Diabetes Treatment Center has been a leader in pediatric diabetes education, research and treatment since its inception. Our comprehensive program offers family- and child-focused support, innovative care and leading-edge technology to improve the lives of children with diabetes.
A Full Spectrum of Care
Patients who come to the Pediatric Diabetes Treatment Center see a highly specialized team with unique expertise in their physical, mental and social needs. Board-certified pediatric endocrinologists work with certified diabetes educators, registered dietitians, psychologists, child life specialists and social workers to ensure a child’s and family’s needs are met.
“This multidisciplinary approach benefits team members and patients in several ways,” says Adriana Carrillo-Iregui, MD, pediatric endocrinologist and Medical Director of the Pediatric Diabetes Treatment Center. “It allows team members to learn from each other and share their expertise, leading to better care for patients. This approach also allows patients to receive all the care they need in one place, improving convenience and care coordination for patients and families.”
The diabetes care team provides additional support beyond the clinic. Camp Roaring Sun, a week-long camp for children ages 6 to 12 with diabetes, is one of many programs offering opportunities for peer connection, psychotherapeutic support and recreation.
“Summer camp provides a fun and supportive environment for children with diabetes to learn about their disease and meet other children with the condition,” Dr. Carrillo-Iregui says. “This can help reduce feelings of isolation and improve self-confidence. Studies have also shown that children who attend diabetes camps have better blood sugar control and fewer complications.”
Addressing Population-Specific Care Gaps
All Nicklaus Children’s patients receive expert, coordinated care. Still, certain populations require targeted programs to address their specific needs.
The Pediatric Diabetes Treatment Center offers several specialty clinics tailored to those populations. Clinics include the:
- Multidisciplinary clinic for patients with Type 1 diabetes
- Latino clinic, a research program offered in collaboration with the Barbara Davis Center at the University of Colorado School of Medicine that pairs group education classes with medical care for Latino children with Type 1 diabetes
- New onset clinic for recently diagnosed patients and those who are new to the area, including several patients and families who are recent immigrants
- TD clinic for patients with Type 2 diabetes and obesity that combines medical care with education, psychology and social work services
- Transition clinic, designed for patients age 17 to 21 transitioning out of pediatric care
“All members of our team are experts in caring for children and adolescents with diabetes,” Dr. Carrillo-Iregui says. “We work together to develop a personalized treatment plan for each patient, considering all their individual needs.”
Novel Methods for Prevention and Screening
Although diabetes care typically focuses on disease management, Nicklaus Children’s endocrinologists offer a new treatment option to delay the onset of stage 3 Type 1 diabetes. Teplizumab is a monoclonal antibody administered as a daily intravenous infusion over 14 days that targets T cells responsible for attacking the insulin-producing cells in the pancreas.
“Teplizumab is different from other treatment options for Type 1 diabetes because it’s preventive,” Dr. Carrillo-Iregui says. “This treatment is promising because it’s been shown to delay the onset of stage 3 Type 1 diabetes by a couple of years, giving patients more time to prepare for the disease and learn how to manage it.”
Diabetes specialists at Nicklaus Children’s are also involved in research related to Type 1 diabetes screening through participation in the TrialNet Pathway to Prevention study. This study screens relatives of people with Type 1 diabetes to help detect the condition early. The team is actively promoting autoimmune screening programs to detect Type 1 diabetes risk in children and adolescents. Screening not only lowers the occurrence of ketoacidosis, a critical complication, but also allows for the effective staging of diabetes. This staging, in turn, facilitates timely intervention and treatment to postpone the onset of clinical diabetes. Furthermore, advocating for expanded screening creates opportunities for individuals to potentially engage in important clinical trials, contributing to the continuous advancement of knowledge and treatment approaches for Type 1 diabetes.
Leading-Edge Continuous Glucose Monitoring and Insulin Pumps
Paired with proper education, the use of technology for diabetes management has a significant positive effect on patient outcomes. Nicklaus Children’s offers advanced continuous glucose monitoring (CGM), insulin pumps and artificial pancreas systems.
In addition to improved condition management, these systems offer several benefits for patients and families, including:
- Fewer finger sticks
- Improved monitoring in those who are nonverbal or very young
- Increased autonomy for adolescents
- Remote monitoring for caregivers
Advanced Patient Data Visualization
Technology supports the in-person care at Nicklaus Children’s. Our diabetes team uses a state-of-the-art business intelligence dashboard to collect, monitor and visualize patient data and statistics.
Updated daily, individual and team-wide data can be accessed quickly and securely. Having this information available within seconds allows for better decision-making and treatment planning. It also offers the opportunity to monitor challenges and successes on an ongoing basis, improving our ability to provide consistent, high-quality care.
Commitment to Education and Ongoing Innovation
Since 2015, Nicklaus Children’s Pediatric Diabetes Treatment Center has been accredited through the Association of Diabetes Care & Education Specialists Diabetes Education Accreditation Program.
We provide families and patients with a variety of learning opportunities to support successful long-term diabetes management. These opportunities include:
- Classes designed for specific needs, such as CGM device training
- Community lunch-and-learn events
- Quarterly diabetes newsletters
“From treatment options to support services, our program is dedicated to research and innovation,” Dr. Carrillo-Iregui says. “The team is constantly working to develop new and better ways to treat and manage diabetes.”
To learn more about Nicklaus Children’s Pediatric Diabetes Treatment Center, email our physician liaison.