Understanding diabetes

Diabetes is a long-term health condition that impacts the way bodies turn food, in the form of glucose, into energy. 

This process is controlled by a hormone called insulin that is produced in the pancreas. There are different types of diabetes, including type 1 diabetes, type 2 diabetes and gestational diabetes, which can occur during pregnancy. 

All forms of diabetes result in irregular levels of glucose released in the bloodstream, which can be hard to control without proper management.

Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is an autoimmune condition. It  occurs when the pancreas fails to produce the insulin required. It is the most commonly diagnosed type of diabetes in children and adolescents. It represents approximately 10% of all diabetes cases. It is not caused by lifestyle factors and currently has no cause or cure.   

If left unmanaged, type 1 diabetes can result in long-term health conditions such as heart disease or kidney disease.  

Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes occurs when the body stops responding to insulin properly (called insulin resistance) It affects approximately 1.3 million Australians and represents 90% of all diabetes cases. It can be managed, prevented or delayed v through healthy eating, regular physical activity and medication. It is becoming more common in children and adolescents.  

If left unmanaged, type 2 diabetes can result in long-term health conditions such as heart disease or kidney disease.  

Gestational diabetes

Gestational diabetes is a unique type of diabetes that only  happens during pregnancy. It  occurs when hormones from the placenta stop the body from processing sugar properly, making blood sugar levels go up. Gestational diabetes is a condition which will usually dissipate once the baby is born but can come with some risks.  

Gestational diabetes occurs in 1 in 6 pregnancies and can present in women without previous risk factors. It is recommended you speak to your doctor about gestational diabetes, especially leading into the third trimester of pregnancy.

See Gestational diabetes for more information.

Managing your child’s type 1 diabetes 

If your child has been diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, they will need daily ongoing management via insulin therapy. Insulin therapy is the medication your child will need to supplement the insulin that is not being produced in their body by the pancreas. This allows circulating glucose (energy source) to cross the glucose channel into the body’s cells. This helps stabilise your child's blood sugar levels and reduces any potential complications.  

The main reason for monitoring and managing type 1 diabetes in your child is to understand their blood glucose levels (BGLs). As insulin isn’t responding to glucose in the bloodstream, children with type 1 diabetes must monitor their BGLs up to 6 times per day.   

The Blood Glucose Level (BGL) target range for a type 1 diabetic is: 

  • Before meals: 4.0-6.0 mmol/L
  • 2 hours after meals: 4.0-8.0mmol/L 

For reference, an individual without diabetes has a normal range of BGL between 4.0-7.8mmol/L.