Giving An Insulin Injection To A Child With Diabetes: Why Does My Child Need Insulin

Giving An Insulin Injection To A Child With Diabetes
Introduction
What is insulin and how is it given?
Why does my child need insulin?
How is insulin prepared and given?
Where to go from here
Credits

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Why does my child need insulin?

If your child has type 1 diabetes, his or her body no longer produces insulin. Because insulin is not available, sugar cannot enter body cells to be used for energy. As a result, the blood sugar level rises. Insulin injections are necessary to keep blood sugar levels within a target range when a person has type 1 diabetes.

If your child has type 2 diabetes, either the pancreas isn't able to produce enough insulin or your child's body tissues have become resistant to insulin. Children with type 2 diabetes may need to take oral diabetes pills to control their blood sugar.

Your child with type 2 diabetes may need insulin if eating a balanced diet, getting regular exercise, and taking diabetes pills have not kept his or her blood sugar levels within a target range. Your child may now need insulin injections either alone or in combination with oral medicine.

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Last updated:	August 14, 2007
Author:	Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS
Reviewed By:	Caroline S. Rhoads, MD - Internal Medicine, Matthew I. Kim, MD - Endocrinology & Metabolism
Editors:	Susan Van Houten, RN, BSN, MBA, Pat Truman

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