Diabetes Health Fact sheets

Every 3 – 4 months, children with type 1 diabetes will have a blood test called an HbA1c to indicate long term blood glucose control. Find out more about this test here.

• HbA1c - Health Fact sheet

An insulin pump is a small electronic device that is programmed to deliver insulin into the body through a fine needle or flexible cannula inserted under the skin. It is about the size of a mobile phone and can be hooked onto a belt or kept in your pocket. Fast acting insulin is used in the pump. The pump is programmed to deliver a steady rate of insulin continuously and a surge of insulin when food is eaten.

• Your plan for successful pumping – Health Facts (PDF 205kb)
• Your plan for a successful pump upgrade – Health Facts (PDF 33kb)
• Interpreting Insulin pump downloads – Parent guide (patients aged <5 years) – Health Facts (PDF 260kb)
• Interpreting Insulin pump downloads – Parent guide (patients aged >5 years)  – Health Facts (PDF 572kb)
• Pump failure guidelines - Health Facts (PDF 176kb)

People who have type 1 diabetes do not produce insulin. This means that injecting insulin is a daily requirement of a child or adolescent who has type 1 diabetes.

• Managing glucose levels after meals – Health Facts (PDF 245kb)
• A guide to flexible insulin therapy for families – Health Facts (PDF 239kb)

When our patients turn 18 years of age or complete year 12, they will transition to the Adult Diabetes services.

• Transition to an adult diabetes health service (PDF 194kb)

The National Diabetes Services Scheme has a useful booklet providing information for people with type 1 diabetes on moving from the Adolescent to Adults’ Diabetes service. It included advice on schooling to further education or work, driving, moving out of home and living advice.

• Moving on up (PDF)

PCH is the only tertiary referral centre for children with type 2 diabetes in Western Australia. While type 1 diabetes remains the most common form of diabetes in young people, the number of children diagnosed with type 2 diabetes is increasing, particularly in high risk groups such as indigenous Australians.  Risk factors for developing type 2 diabetes include: 

• ethnicity
• obesity
• puberty
• family history
• lifestyle.

In Western Australia approximately 50% of children with type 2 diabetes live in rural and remote locations and over one half of all children with type 2 diabetes are Indigenous.

The management of type 2 diabetes in children and adolescents includes lifestyle intervention (physical activity and dietary education), self-management education (individual and family), medication and psychological care.

Metformin is an oral medication given to people with diabetes to improve insulin function.

• Metformin - Health Fact sheet (PDF)