Diabetes Technology for Preschoolers

Diabetes technology offers powerful options for parents and small children who cannot yet communicate their feelings of lows/highs. The risks of complications can quickly turn very bad in a short amount of time for a small child (compared to an older child).

The continuous glucose monitors (CGM)—especially those not requiring finger sticks—are optimum for young children. The data from the CGM can be shared on devices; this is life changing for parents and children. As a parent you no longer have to wake up in the middle of the night to do a finger stick on your sleeping child so as to obtain a blood sugar reading.  You can just look at your device on your night stand. The CGM shows additional data to help you better manage your child’s diabetes.

The insulin pumps have many positive features for parents and children.  It gives you the ability to adjust basal rates. You also have the ability to have precise insulin dosing for meals because the pump can dose very small amounts. It helps with children who are picky eaters too. If you’re not sure what they will eat, or how much they will eat, you can dose a small amount for a carbohydrate you know they will eat, such as French fries. You can then dose when you see what they have actually eaten. This leads to better control than dosing after an entire meal has been eaten. The pump also shows many data points that allow you to better manage your child’s diabetes.

The CGM and insulin pump combination is a much better option for babysitters, family members who babysit and preschool staff. It reduces the fear and burden of giving injections. It gives the parents and the child more freedom.

Updated 2/17/19

This document is not intended to take the place of the care and attention of your personal physician or other professional medical services. Our aim is to promote active participation in your care and treatment by providing information and education. Questions about individual health concerns or specific treatment options should be discussed with your physician.