Children's Pediatric Diabetes Center Helps Children Adjust To Diabetes

<p>Those with Type 1 diabetes are often diagnosed when they're toddlers or teenagers. Fortunately for those kids, there's a lot of support.</p>

Monday, November 13th 2017, 6:52 pm



Tuesday is National Diabetes Day. Those with Type 1 diabetes are often diagnosed when they're toddlers or teenagers. Fortunately for those kids, there's a lot of support. At OU Children's Hospital they have an entire Pediatric Diabetes Center that helps them learn to live with their diagnosis.

Reagan Benton was diagnosed with diabetes exactly one year ago. After she started noticing symptoms of intense leg cramps, thirst and weight loss her family doctor did a blood test.

“I started crying just because it was a lot to take in,” said Reagan.

That was on Friday. The following Monday she was admitted to the Harold Hamm Pediatric Diabetes Center.

“You’ve got to get them here, make sure that they’re safe and stable and if they are they can start education,” explained Dr. David Sparline, a Pediatric Endocrinologist with the Center.

The Center's Diabetes Educators spend an entire day helping families learn how to adjust to the diagnosis and then continue to work with patients during quarterly visits.

“We talk about if we’re checking our blood sugars as often as we should be, we talk about how insulin is being dosed,” said Diabetes Educator Natasha Chitsaza. “We may notice there is too many highs or too many lows and talk about what needs to be changed.”

Reagan also wears a continuous glucose monitor that allows not only her, but her parents and doctors to see what her blood sugar level is at all times.

“I don’t love it when it goes off but I’m thankful when it does because if it didn’t we wouldn’t know and she could drift off and go unconscious on us,” said Reagan’s mom Abby.

It's all allowed Reagan who's on the school's tennis team and a straight A student to live life like a typical teenager.

The Children's Hospital Foundation provides a lot of the financial backing for the Pediatric Diabetes Center. To donate go to: https://chfkids.com

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