Diabetes is diagnosed when:

1. The fasting blood sugar (blood sugar first thing in the morning after an overnight fast) is 125 mg/dl or greater on more than one occasion.
2. The blood sugar two hours after drinking a prescribed amount of glucose is 200mg/dl or greater.    
3. There are symptoms of diabetes (frequent urination, frequent thirst, weight change, fatigue and/or blurry vision) with a random blood sugar of 200 mg/dl or greater.

Type 2 Diabetes may have very mild or no symptoms

Type 2 Diabetes has sometimes been called Adult Onset Diabetes, Noninsulin Dependent Diabetes or Borderline Diabetes. In recent years there has been a dramatic increase in this form of diabetes in children and adolescents. Type 2 Diabetes occurs when the body is no longer able to produce enough insulin to overcome the insulin resistance caused primarily by obesity and inactivity.

Type 2 Diabetes is not a mild form of diabetes. If not controlled, Type 2 Diabetes can lead to serious complications such as:

• Kidney failure
• Blindness
• Nerve damage
• Heart attack
• Stroke
• Amputation

Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes has many parts.  All of the following are necessary for good management:

• Working with a dietician to develop an individualized meal plan. This is to help control blood sugar, cholesterol, blood pressure and weight.
• Testing your child's blood sugar on a schedule recommended by his physician.
• Increasing your child's physical activity as recommended.
• Giving your child the medication prescribed by his physician. This may be pills, insulin injections or both.
• Educating yourself and your child on self-management of diabetes.
• Keeping medical check-ups and testing.

Children's Mercy Hospitals and Clinics

Kansas City,Missouri                                                       Overland Park,Kansas

Care cards are provided as a public education service. The information does not replace instructions your physician gives you. If you have questions about your child's care, please call your physician.

Estas instruccions son provistas como un servicio educacional. La information no sustituye las instrucciones de su medico. Si tiene preguntas encuanto al duidado de su niño, por favor llame a su medico.