Diabetes affects 123,000 children or one in 500 in the United States. The Pediatric Diabetes Treatment Center at Nicklaus Children's Hospital, treats 100 new children annually on an inpatient basis and treats several hundred children in our outpatient center.
Due to the complexity of diabetes in children, the child, family, and medical team create a plan for living, eating, learning, exercising, and playing that promotes wellness, monitors the disease, and provides support. Each child is treated individually and personally. Many of our staff members are bilingual and ready to assist patients and their families at all times.
Continuous Insulin Infusion Program for Children and Adolescents
The treatment of diabetes in children has evolved from just one or two injections per day to multiple injections or constant insulin infusion through a diabetes insulin pump, often referred to as "The Pump." The reason for this change is that the goal of insulin therapy is to keep blood sugars as close to normal as possible, thus alleviating complications associated with high blood sugar. The advantages of "The Pump" are to increase flexibility of lifestyle while improving blood sugar control.
Nicklaus Children's Hospital has designed a program to help you and your child make the transition from injections to the diabetes insulin pump. You will meet with one of our diabetes educators to learn about the various pump models and infusion sets available enabling you to make an informed decision on the best fit for your child. You may also need to meet with a dietician to review and/or fine tune carbohydrate counting skills. Once you have starting using the insulin pump, we will ask you to fax or email results of your child's daily testing for a two week period after the pump is started.
This program is specifically designed to be less intrusive in your lifestyle and get you and your child back into your routine as soon as possible.
Camp Roaring Sun
Camp Roaring Sun is a camp exclusively for children ages 6 through 12 with diabetes who are treated at Nicklaus Children's Hospital.
The camp began in 1987 as a day camp and has grown into a week-long, sleepover camp. The campers enjoy a week of fun in the sun and activities that include nature walks, a trip to see a baseball game and swimming under the supervision of Nicklaus Children’s pediatric endocrinology nurses. The children’s blood levels are regularly monitored throughout the day while they socialize in a fun, safe and caring environment.
A Team Approach to Care
The Pediatric Diabetes Treatment Center at Nicklaus Children's Hospital, consists of board certified pediatric endocrinologists and a multi-specialty trained pediatric staff including:
- Certified diabetes nurse educator
- Registered dietician
- Child life specialist
- Psychologist
- Pharmacist
- Social worker