Diabetes and Your Child: Tests and Vaccinations

Tests

The following are the most common tests that children with diabetes need. Ask your child’s healthcare provider if any other tests or exams are right for your child. Unless you are told otherwise, have these tests done at least as often as stated below:

Regular checkups and tests tell you if your child’s management plan is keeping her healthy.

• Height and weight (every visit). Monitoring your child’s growth tells you if your child’s overall health is good.

• Blood pressure (every visit). Blood pressure checks are used to monitor the health of your child’s heart and blood vessels.

• A1c (every 3 months). This test measures your child’s average blood sugar level over a period of several months.

• Microalbumin (once a year). This test shows if your child’s kidneys are working properly.

• Lipids (once a year). This test looks at blood lipid (fat) levels to check blood vessel health.

• Thyroid function (once a year). This test checks the level of your child’s thyroid hormone, which helps with growth.

• Celiac disease (once a year, if needed). This test checks if your child’s digestive system is working properly.

• Dilated eye exam (at first, 5 years after diagnosis, although your child’s healthcare provider might recommend earlier or more frequent testing). Eye exams check your child for retinopathy (damage to the blood vessels in the eyes).

Vaccinations

Your child should receive the following vaccinations at least as often as stated below:

• Influenza (once a year). Having the flu can make it harder to keep your child’s blood sugar levels healthy.

• Pneumonia (at least once, then as needed). Pneumonia can be a serious problem for children with diabetes. Ask your child’s healthcare provider how often this vaccine is needed.

Tooth and Gum Care Your child should also see a dentist at least twice a year. This is because high blood sugar can damage your child’s teeth and gums over time. Poor dental hygiene can also raise blood sugar. Be sure to tell anyone who works on your child’s teeth that he or she has diabetes. And have your child brush and floss his or her teeth at least twice a day.

Resources

For more information about diabetes, visit these websites:

• American Diabetes Association www.diabetes.org

• Children with Diabetes www.childrenwithdiabetes.org

• Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation www.jdrf.org

• American Association of Diabetes Educators www.aadenet.org

• American Association of Clinical Endocrinologists www.aace.com

• National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse www.diabetes.niddk.nih.gov

NOTE: This sheet does not give all the information you need to care for your child with diabetes. Ask your child’s healthcare provider for more information.