Are you looking for a weekend activity to do with your children? Consider learning more about juvenile diabetes with hands-on activities with a medical specialist for students and an adult interactive program.
The Mini Medical School Program on Juvenile Diabetes is this Saturday. February 6. Eva Tsalikian, MD, Director of Pediatric Endocrinology and Diabetes at UI Children's Hospital, talks about the program:
How many children in Iowa are affected by juvenile diabetes?
One in 500 children is affected by juvenile diabetes. At University of Iowa Children's Hospital, we follow about 700 to 800 children with diabetes. These individuals are less than 20 years old and have type 1 diabetes—or juvenile diabetes.
What are the symptoms of juvenile diabetes parents should watch for in their children?
Some of the symptoms are very subtle at the beginning. Children may:
- Drink a lot
- Go to the bathroom frequently
- Wet the bed at night
- Lose weight
If any of these symptoms are present, the parents should bring their children to their primary care providers.
Can juvenile diabetes be prevented?
At this time, juvenile diabetes cannot be prevented. We are doing a lot of nationals studies here at The University of Iowa that that are trying to do exactly that—to prevent diabetes, either in the children who were just affected, or in other members of those children's' families.
Why is it important that children with diabetes see a pediatric endocrinologist?
Pediatric endocrinologists are pediatricians who have been specially trained to take care of children with diabetes. Children with diabetes are not small adults. They have specific needs. We see younger and younger children being affected by juvenile diabetes. These young children, or toddlers, with diabetes have specific needs. One of the most important things we can offer to these families is education for diabetes management at home. Diabetes today depends on the many technological advances and the ongoing research. We believe the specialists in this field are more appropriate for the care of these children.
Tell us more about the event on Saturday. Where will the Mini Medical School take place? What time will it start/end? Is there a cost to attend? Should those planning to attend reserve a seat? How do they do that?
This program will be held the Medical Education and Research Facility on the University of Iowa health science campus. Check in is at 9 a.m. The program will begin at 10 a.m. and will end at noon. It is free to the public, but registration is necessary so we have enough materials for the kids and their parents. There is a toll-free number, 877-633-4692, that the public should call to register.
There are two separate programs for adults and children. Can you tell us a little about each of those programs? What should adults and children attending expect?
The adult session will feature an update on diabetes research. Michael Tansey, MD, will talk about continuous glucose monitoring and the studies we will be doing at UI.
I will speak on other research programs are going on with juvenile diabetes here at UI and around the world. The new studies are hoping either for prevention or cure of diabetes.
In the kids' section we'll have more fun things to do. School age children will participate in hands-on activities:
- Learning how to tie a surgical knot
- Playing a medical Wii game
- Saving a simulated baby's life;
- Touch simulated human organs
- Raise their diabetes IQ
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