My Health
· 1
My
Health
Volume 11, Issue 4 2012
Serving Hoosier Healthwise
and Healthy Indiana Plan
Presorted Standard
U.S. Postage
PAID
Walla Walla,
WA
Permit No. 44
ANTHEM BLUE CROSS AND BLUE SHIELD
PO BOX 6144
INDIANAPOLIS IN 46206-6144
Does your child
have diabetes?
Here’s how to come up
with a game plan
If your child has Type 1 or Type 2
diabetes, it’s important to keep track
of your child’s diabetes with the help
of your child’s doctor.
Diabetes in kids can be very different
from diabetes in adults. For example,
it needs to be watched in child care or
school and as kids grow. Kids can’t care
for it by themselves the way adults often
can – they need a game plan.
Talk with your child’s doctor to make
sure your child gets the tests below.
Your own child may need some tests
sooner or more often.
Your child’s doctor is part of your health
care team. So are any other doctors who
check on your child’s diabetes. Work
with your child and your health care
team – together you can keep your
child growing strong.
Source: American Diabetes Association:
“2012
Clinical Practice Recommendations,”
Diabetes Care
(
January 2012): diabetes.org
TESTS
WHEN
GOAL
A1C blood test
At diagnosis and then every three months.
Less than 8.5 for kids age 6 and younger. Less than 8 for
kids ages 6 to 12. Less than 7.5 for ages 13 to 19.
Blood pressure check
At diagnosis and ongoing as your child’s
doctor decides.
Less than 130/80 or lower than the 90th percentile for
the child’s sex, age and height – whichever is lower.
Lipid profile
At puberty if family history is not a concern. Then
every five years.
Less than 100 mg/dL.
Dilated retinal (eye) exam
Each year for kids ages 10 and younger. Exams should start three to five years after diagnosis.
Microalbumin test
Each year to check kidney function for kids ages 10 and older, once they’ve had diabetes for five years.
Rx to help
control diabetes
If children have diabetes, they need to take
all the medicines (drugs) the way their doctor
tells them to. The doctor might prescribe:
•
•
Pills or insulin to help control blood sugar.
•
•
Drugs to help control blood pressure.
•
•
Cholesterol drugs to help lower the
risk of heart disease.
•
•
Special drugs to help prevent
kidney problems.
Talk to your child’s doctor about what drugs
will work to help control your child’s diabetes.
Go online to
anthem.com
and register
to get more personalized information
about your benefits.