Sugar Babies 
Welcome to Sugar Babies, a support group for children with diabetes and their families.

Meetings are held the third Wednesday of every odd month from 6:30 – 8:00PM at the Center for Nutrition and Diabetes Management. 

For more information, please call the Center for Nutrition and Diabetes Management at (908) 237-6920.

In the event of inclement weather, please tune in to your local radio station.  The Center for Nutrition and Diabetes Management follows the closing/early dismissal of the Flemington/Raritan School District. 
Session cancellations will also be available via our voicemail system at (908) 237-6920.

What is diabetes mellitus type 1? Diabetes mellitus is a disease affecting how your child's body makes insulin and how it uses glucose (sugar). Insulin is a hormone that helps the body use sugar by allowing the sugar to enter body cells. The four types of diabetes are type 1, type 2, other specific types, and gestational diabetes. With type 1 diabetes, your child's body does not make enough insulin, causing high blood sugar levels. Type 1 diabetes is also called insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM) or juvenile-onset diabetes.

What causes diabetes mellitus type 1? Type 1 diabetes may be an autoimmune disease. An autoimmune disease is a condition where your child's defense system attacks some of his own cells. Normally, when your child's blood glucose level increases, the pancreas (an organ that lies behind the stomach) makes insulin. In type 1 diabetes, the cells in the pancreas that make insulin are destroyed. Diabetes may also be inherited as it runs in families.

What are the signs and symptoms of diabetes mellitus type 1? Your child may have any of the following:

• Frequent urination.
• Hungry most of the time.
• More thirsty than usual.
• Losing weight without trying.
• Blurred vision (eyesight).

How is diabetes mellitus type 1 diagnosed? Type 1 diabetes is diagnosed with blood sugar tests. Caregivers will test your child's blood sugar twice to be sure that he has diabetes. A positive blood sugar result should be repeated the next day. Your child may have any of the following blood sugar tests:

• Casual plasma glucose: This may be the first blood sugar test done if your child has symptoms of diabetes. Your child may have diabetes if his blood sugar is 200 mg/dl (milligrams per deciliter) or higher.
  
• Fasting plasma glucose: After your child has fasted (no food or liquid) for eight hours, his blood sugar will be checked. Your child may have diabetes if his blood sugar is 126 mg/dl or higher.
  
• Oral glucose tolerance test (OGTT): Your child's blood will be drawn two or more times during this test. After fasting, the first sample of blood will be taken. Your child will then be given a glucose drink. Two hours after drinking the liquid, the second sample of blood will be taken. A blood sugar result of 200 mg/dl or higher may mean your child has diabetes.

How is diabetes mellitus type 1 treated? Type 1 diabetes can be treated and controlled most of the time. The goal is to keep your child's blood sugar at normal levels. This can be done by correctly giving your child his insulin daily. Eating the right foods and exercising are also very important in controlling diabetes. You will learn how to check your child's blood sugar at home. You may have to check your child's blood sugar level three or more times daily.
Source: Thomson MICROMEDEX. 2008

Links
American Diabetes Association   
Camp NEJEDA 
Diabetes Exercise and Sports Association
Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation