Research Paper on "Diabetes in School Children"

Research Paper 8 pages (2665 words) Sources: 1+

[EXCERPT] . . . .

When using an insulin pump to administer insulin, it may be necessary to check blood glucose levels more frequently. A glucose meter is often the most preferred method of checking blood glucose levels. However, they cost more than other methods. Other devices have been developed that are wearable and can measure blood sugar levels every 5-minute over a period of 3 days. However, these devices are often not the best option since results can only be viewed after the 3-days testing period and a new sensor has to be placed every 3 days.

Need for physical exercise

Physical activity is important for children with diabetes. This is because it lowers blood glucose levels. Even if the child takes insulin regularly, the dosage may reduce significantly as a result of physical activity. However, a combination of insulin and exhaustive physical activity can lead to hypoglycemia. Therefore, it is important for these children to carry soft drinks or glucose tablets when undergoing physical activity. A prophylactic effect can also be achieved by giving the child juice, bread or other carbohydrates before physical activities Mauny et al. 327()

School issues

Massachusetts general laws of management of diabetes in school

The Massachusetts Department of Public Health is the overall regulatory authority dealing with administration of medication to children in schools. The department provides for the minimum standards for safe and proper administration of medications. Only licensed school nurses are allowed to administer prescription medication including insulin. The school nurse is also tasked with developing an individualized health care plan for all diabetic children. The health care plan involves monitoring of blood glucose levels throughout the day in order to take correction action at the right time when it is too high or too low. The department also gives the responsibility of supervising the diet of diabetic children to the school nurse. However, all members of staff have a part to play in the timely response to diabetic emergencies. 105 CMR 210.00 of the Massachusetts Department of Public Health requires all personnel who are responsible for students with diabetic to understand the insulin delivery system of each student.

The Massachusetts guidelines for managing diabetes in school also provides guidelines for parents and guardians. They are required to provide several items including physician documentation and diagnosis of diabetes, physician prescriptions for insulin showing the specified delivery system, signed consent to share the health information of their child with health care providers, signed consent for personnel at the school to administer all medications. They are also required to provide all supplies that are needed, a summary of the student's medical history of diabetes from the onset to the current symptoms, and name and telephone of physician and parent or guardian in case of an emergency

504 Accommodation plan

The 504 plan set out an agreement to ensure that children with special needs such as those with diabetes to same access of education and other resources as other children. The 504 plan in Massachusetts requires a multidisciplinary team approach. The school nurse, who is designated as the key person in delivery of management and ensuring the plan is followed, also serves to build the Diabetes Medical Management Team that incorporates different people in different roles. This time may include people such as the school administrator, direction of nutrition at the school, teachers, school counselor, physical education teacher, coach, custodian, bus driver, local emergency response staff, and other learning and support staff such as cooks.

The persons in the Diabetes Medical Management Team have different roles to play, however, the most important is to ensure that they are aware of the status of the child at all times when they are in charge. For example when in class, the teacher is in charge, when in the bus, the bus driver and custodian are in charge. These persons should understand the needs of the child, be able to find a person to administer insulin whenever it is needed, ensure the child's blood glucose is monitored regularly, the child is allowed to eat snacks as required and to take extra trips to the bathroom as they require.

School sponsored after-school programs

During on-site after-school programs, the coach is designated as the person in charge of ensuring the general well-being of diabetic children. The coach should be trained in diabetes emergency management and should have a copy of each student's Diabetes Emergency Action Plan, emergency contact information and available supplies. The coach should ensure that the blood glucose levels are monitored as outlined in the individualized health care plan, 504-accommodation plan and other applicable plans. This should be done by making sure the diet is followed and that the child is monitored as regularly as stated. The coach should also allow the diabetic student to miss some practices or activities for medical reasons. The child should not be reprimanded for this. Confidentiality and privacy are also key. Therefore, these should be respected and upheld at all times Hoey et al. 1038()

Celebrations and parties

During celebrations and parties, guidelines for allowable foods based on the child's diet plan should be followed during parties and celebrations. The diabetic child should be able to understand their allowable foods. Where age allows, they should understand their diet plan and be motivated to stick to it. Where the child is still too young to understand their plan, they should be guided on allowable foods. The school nurse should be notified on the part an in case of any emergency should be called to assist. Emergency contact information and supplies should also be readily available in case of any emergency Gonzalez et al. 333()

Works cited

Chamany, Shadi, et al. "Tracking Diabetes: New York City's A1c Registry." The Milbank Quarterly 87.3 (2009): 547-70. Print.

Gonzalez, E.L. Masso, et al. "Evidence-Based Public Health Policy and Practice: Trends in the Prevalence and Incidence of Diabetes in the Uk: 1996-2005." Journal of Epidemiology and Community Health (1979-) 63.4 (2009): 332-36. Print.

Hoey, Hilary, et al. "Parent and Health Professional Perspectives in the Management of Adolescents with Diabetes: Development of Assessment Instruments for International Studies." Quality of Life Research 15.6 (2006): 1033-42. Print.

Keim, Sarah A. "An Overview of the National Children's Study of Children's Health and the Environment." Children, Youth and Environments 15.1 (2005): 240-56. Print.

Lazar, Mitchell A. "How Obesity Causes Diabetes: Not a Tall Tale." Science 307.5708 (2005): 373-75. Print.

Linn, Susan, and Courtney L. Novosat. "Calories for Sale: Food Marketing to Children in the Twenty-First Century." Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science 615 (2008): 133-55. Print.

Mauny, F., et al. "Increasing Trend of Childhood Type 1 Diabetes in Franche-Comte (France): Analysis of Age and Period Effects from 1980 to 1998." European Journal of Epidemiology 20.4 (2005): 325-29. Print.

Nguyen, Quoc Manh, et al. "Influence of Childhood Parental History of Type 2 Diabetes on the Pre-Diabetic and Diabetic Status in Adulthood: The Bogalusa Heart Study." European Journal of Epidemiology 24.9 (2009): 537-39. Print.

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