Insulin Injection for Child: What You Need to Know About Diabetes in Kids

Like adults, kids are also prone to diabetes. This is mostly because of genetics. Diabetes is a medical condition wherein the level of blood glucose remains high. People must take insulin shots to keep the blood glucose balanced. The same thing applies to kids with diabetes. Following this,  kids must know the importance of taking their insulin shots and monitoring them. How is insulin injection for a child done?

Insulin Injection for Child: How Prevalent is Diabetes in Children? 

Until recently, juvenile diabetes, also known as type 1 diabetes, is the most common type of diabetes seen in children. However, Type 2 diabetes is an emerging health problem in children and adolescents. This stems from the obesity epidemic from general lack of physical activity and excess food intake.

According to the CDC’s National Diabetes Statistics Report of 2020, about 210,000 children and people under the age of 20 have diabetes. Majority of this populace is diagnosed with type 1 diabetes. The growing number of children with type 2 diabetes is likewise concerning. In either case, insulin injection may be needed especially in Type 1 diabetes where the child’s body can’t produce insulin.

Insulin Injection for Child: How Does Diabetes Affect a Child’s Quality of Life?

Diabetes affects a child’s quality of life mostly in a negative way.  Since diabetic children have to watch out for their blood glucose level, they do not have the freedom to consume the foods that they want to eat.

As a result, depressive symptoms may start to occur in children diagnosed with diabetes. According to the Journal of Diabetes & Metabolism, there are increased levels of anxiety, depression, and psychological distress in children with diabetes. The child may also develop behavioral problems in the long run due to the stress of maintaining a balanced blood glucose.

Insulin Injection for Child: What are Insulin Injections For?

Insulin is a hormone that lowers the high level blood glucose of a person and helps it enter the body’s cells. Shots of insulin are also used for people whose bodies do not have the capability of producing insulin. These are usually taken using an injection.

Insulin shots may be short or long-acting. The frequency in taking insulin shots depends on what a doctor would prescribe.

Insulin Injection for Child: How to Introduce Insulin Injections to Kids?

Since children may not want to use injections, there is another way of having children take insulin without using an injection. An indwelling subcutaneous cannula may be used. This happens by inserting a soft tube into the area where the child would be having their insulin shot, for instance the belly. When it is time for the child to have their insulin shot, the insulin is injected into the connecting soft tube rather than the skin. This way, the child will not feel any pain from repeated injections.

Insulin Injection for Child: Do’s and Don’ts of Insulin Injections

Do’s 

• Keep the insulin shots 1 inch away from scars and 2 inches away from the navel.
• Ensure that the injection site is clean and dry.
• Pinch the skin and insert the needle at a 45º angle.
• Insert the needle all the way into the skin in a slow and steady manner.
• Leave the injection in place for five seconds after inserting it.
• Dispose of the needle properly by placing it inside a container to keep it away from children and animals.

Don’ts 

• Mix concentrated insulin with other types of insulin.
• Use expired insulin.
• Shake the insulin bottle because this might make it clump.
• Blow on the top portion of an insulin bottle.
• Inject the insulin in the same area of the skin all the time.
• Put an insulin shot in an area that is bruised, tender, or swollen.
• Put an insulin shot in an area that is lumpy, numb, or firm.
• Use an alcohol wipe on the injection site.
• Reuse needles or syringes.

Key Takeaway

Insulin shots are an absolute necessity for people with diabetes, especially children. Luckily, an indwelling subcutaneous cannula may be used so that children do not need to feel the pain of an injection every time they take their insulin shots.

Learn more about Diabetes here.