Pediatric Endocrinology

Diabetes has become a serious health care threat, with nearly 21 million children and adults in the United States – 7 percent of our population – estimated to have diabetes. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, one in three children born in this country five years ago is expected to develop diabetes.

Corewell Health Children's offers one of the largest pediatric endocrinology programs in Michigan. Children visit the Corewell Health Children's Hospital Endocrinology Clinic to be treated for diabetes, growth, or hormone problems by a multidisciplinary team of board-certified pediatric endocrinologists, diabetes nurse educators, nutritionists, and social workers.

Corewell Health's pediatric endocrinology program also offers counseling and education for parents to ensure that children develop in an environment that supports increasing responsibility for diet, daily monitoring, medication, and lifestyle choices. Parents receive 24-hour telephone access to their child's care team. They learn how to manage the disease in very young children and then gradually help the older child become self-sufficient.

The Corewell Health Children's Hospital pediatric endocrinology team members are exceptional teachers who call upon the extended resources of dietitians, psychologists, and social workers to identify breakdowns in disease management and help children become consistent and ultimately responsible for their own health.

Among the problems treated by pediatric endocrinologists are:

The Managing Childhood Diabetes videos were created to provide pediatric endocrinology patients and families consistent education about new-onset diabetes care. The educational material is separated into eight videos that coincide with the teaching tools provided to new-onset diabetes patient families. Patients and their families will watch these videos to learn about the diagnosis and management of diabetes during their hospital stay. We encourage families to re-watch the videos at home and share the information with grandparents, caregivers, their schools, and others.

These videos are guidelines for diabetes management. Please follow your child’s individualized care plan and call your endocrinologist with any questions.

Corewell Health Children’s is committed to improving the lives of children with Type 1 diabetes. As part of this commitment, the pediatric endocrinology team is pleased to offer a collection of Type 1 diabetes resources for parents and non-medical personnel in schools.

It takes a team to provide a safe and healthy school environment for students with Type 1 diabetes. We all need to help. Parents, school personnel, doctors, and nurses need to work together.

We encourage parents of children with Type 1 diabetes to discuss plans for their children’s care with the principal or 504 building coordinator at the school.

This informational video is titled Managing Type 1 Diabetes in Schools: A Guide for Non-Medical Personnel in Schools. The video is not intended to replace formal training. It is intended to be used in conjunction with formal training from either a school nurse or parents of the student with Type 1 diabetes. The video provides an overview for non-medical personnel in schools on how to provide care for a student with Type 1 diabetes in the school setting.

This video is accompanied by a guide to treating children with Type 1 diabetes in the school setting. This guide provides step-by-step instructions for the materials taught throughout the video.

• School Management Plan – This document can be used as a Diabetes Medical Management Plan. It details the specific diabetes needs of your student while at school.
• Quick Reference Guide – This one-page document outlines hypoglycemia, hyperglycemia definitions, and treatment.
• School Medication Authorization – This form provides authorization from the student's physician and parent to administer medication at school.
• 504 Plan – This is an agreement to ensure that the student with Type 1 diabetes receives accommodations to provide the same education as a student without Type 1 diabetes.