My Health
· 3
Here’s how to come up with a game plan
Does your child have diabetes?
If your child has Type 1 or Type 2 diabetes, it’s important to keep track of your
child’s diabetes with the help of your child’s doctor.
Diabetes in kids can be very different from diabetes in adults. For example, it
needs to be watched in child care or school and as kids grow. Kids can’t care for
it by themselves the way adults often can – they need a game plan.
Talk with your child’s doctor to make sure your child gets the tests below. Your
child may need some tests sooner or more often.
Your child’s doctor is part of your health care team. So are any other doctors
who check on your child’s diabetes. Work with your child and your health
care team – together you can keep your child growing strong.
Source: American Diabetes Association: “2012 Clinical Practice Recommendations,”
Diabetes Care
(January 2012): diabetes.org
TESTS
WHEN
GOAL
A1C blood test At diagnosis and then
every three months.
Less than 8.5 for kids age 6 and
younger. Less than 8 for kids
ages 6 to 12. Less than 7.5 for
ages 13 to 19.
Blood pressure
check
At diagnosis and
ongoing as your
child’s doctor decides.
Less than 130/80 or lower than the
90th percentile for the child’s sex,
age and height – whichever is lower.
Lipid profile
At puberty if family history
is not a concern. Then
every five years.
Less than 100 mg/dL.
Dilated retinal
(eye) exam
Each year for kids age 10
and younger. Exams should
start three to five years
after diagnosis.
Microalbumin
test
Each year to check kidney
function for kids age 10
and older, once they’ve had
diabetes for five years.
Yes, adults need checkups too
Take a look at the chart to make sure you get the ones you need
Don’t let illness sneak up on you. We have
a chart that lists the checkups, shots and
tests you need at all ages, from child to
adult. The chart is called Preventive Health
Care Guidelines. To see the chart, just go
to
anthem.com/ca
.
❯❯
At the top of the screen, click on
Medicaid
.
❯❯
Choose
Medi-Cal
.
❯❯
Choose
Preventive Health Care
Guidelines for LA Care Adults
and Children
.
Diabetes care
from head to toe
Did you know diabetes can affect your body from head to toe?
When your blood sugar isn’t under control, over time it can hurt
your eyes, heart, blood vessels, kidneys, nerves and feet.
Seeing your health care provider for regular checkups
and screenings is one good way to help protect your
overall health.
Eyes.
See an eye doctor once a year for a dilated
retinal eye exam. It is the best way to help protect
your sight.
Heart.
Have your blood pressure checked at each
health care visit and your cholesterol checked at
least once a year.
Kidneys.
Go for an HbA1c test every six months.
This test helps show how well you are controlling
your blood sugar.
Feet.
Be sure to have your health care provider check
your feet for sores at every visit. And see a podiatrist
or foot doctor for a thorough foot exam at least
once a year.
Medication is another way to help control diabetes.
Talk to your doctor about what type of medication may
be right for you. If your doctor prescribes medication for
your diabetes, be sure to take it as directed.
L.A. Care Health Plan has a care management program.
If you have diabetes, a case manager can work with
you by phone to help you set goals and create a
care plan. To find out more about our diabetes
case management program or to speak with a
case manager, please call us at
1-888-830-4300
(TTY
1-800-855-2880
).
Sources: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention: CDC.gov/diabetes/consumer/problems.htm (March 7,
2014); American Diabetes Association: diabetes.org/living-with-diabetes/complications/?loc=lwd-slabnav
