Diabetes Care

When your child has diabetes, it’s important to work with a team that specializes in pediatric diabetes care. Your child’s specialists know how diabetes can affect kids’ bodies. They also know how to put kids and families at ease—and how to encourage preventive care and self-management to prevent complications.

Every day, more than 6,000 children and young adults in Georgia with diabetes go to school, play sports, have friends and do pretty much everything they did before they found out they had diabetes. Children's sees about 400 newly diagnosed patients with diabetes every year, caring for nearly 4,000 families. Plus, our Diabetes Education Department has been recognized by the American Diabetes Association (ADA) as meeting the National Standards for Diabetes Self-Management Education since 2004.

We can help your child balance the daily demands of blood testing and preventive care with the challenges of growing up—and you will have the information and support you need to help your child get on track for the healthiest future possible.

Working for all kids

We are also working with other organizations, such as Emory University, Georgia Institute of Technology and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, to create a world where kids with diabetes spend less time worrying about treatment and more time being a kid. We worked with the ADA and Georgia legislators to get Safe at School legislation passed in Georgia, requiring every school in the state to train at least two employees in diabetes care. And we worked with the Georgia Association of School Nurses to train more than 200 school nurses across the state, so they can return to their school districts and train school staff on proper diabetes care.

Because diabetes is a complex condition that affects the whole body, we work with other specialists as needed to provide coordinated, comprehensive care. We also draw from resources and services across Children’s and the community to give you and your child all the care and support you need.

What is diabetes?

Diabetes means that your child’s body either does not make a hormone called insulin or does not use it properly. Insulin controls the level of sugar, or glucose, in the blood. Symptoms can include:

• Urinating a lot
• Drinking a lot and often feeling thirsty
• Eating a lot and often feeling hungry
• Energy loss or often feeling tired
• Weight loss

• Headaches, stomachaches, back pain, nausea or vomiting
• Blurred distance vision or not being able to focus vision properly
• Repeated skin infections

Children with diabetes are at risk for some other physical and mental health issues. We work with other Children’s specialists and professionals to diagnose, treat and manage conditions such as:

Because diabetes is a chronic, usually lifelong disease, self-management is critical. Children’s offers a wide range of classes, tools and support that can be found under “Helpful Resources.”

We also offer complete clinical care, including:

• Diagnosis and determination of the type of diabetes
• Testing for related conditions such as thyroid disease
• Screening for young family members when appropriate
• Management of medicines and help with insulin treatment
• Preventive care, such as HbA1c and lipid testing
• Insulin pumps and other technology

Teaching Kitchen

The Teaching Kitchen in the Children's Healthcare of Atlanta Center for Advanced Pediatrics offers an encouraging wellness environment for children living with chronic illnesses. Classes are community-based and family-centered, and kids and adults can learn the health—and often cost-saving benefits—of preparing their own meals. Each class is taught by a chef, who is accompanied by a registered dietitian or educator, in addition to volunteers.

Learn more about the Teaching Kitchen

Meet the diabetes team

Our team includes the following pediatric endocrinologists and advanced practice providers:

Pediatric Endocrinologists

• Stephen W. Anderson, II, MD
• Constance Y Baldwin, MD
• Paul J. Bernard, MD
• Kristina Cossen, MD
• Tanicia Daley, MD
• Doris O. Fadoju, MD
• Hiba Ahmed Fadoul, MD
• Eric Felner, MD
• Sobenna George, MD
• Marjorie Golekoh, MD
• Nina Ham, MD

• Jessica R. Hutchins, MD
• Karen J. Loechner, MD, PhD
• Joey C. Low, MD
• Lillian R. Meacham, MD
• Andrew Muir, MD
• Leonidas Panagiotakopoulos, MD
• Briana C. Patterson, MD
• Natavut Punyasavatsut, MD
• Mark S. Rappaport, MD, PhD
• Quentin L. Van Meter, MD

Psychologist

• Sobha Fritz, PhD

Advanced Practitioners

• Jennifer L. Besse, CPNP
• Heather L. Fritz, CPNP
• Sandra Jo Larisch, CPNP
• Kathryn P. Lucas, CPNP

• Megan Consedine Pruett, CPNP
• Erica M. Smith, CPNP
• Denise Streleckis, PA-C

Living with diabetes might seem overwhelming at first. After diagnosis, you and your child will have a lot to learn. Children's is here for you. We offer information, classes and other resources for you and your child, and we are always available if you have questions or concerns. Here are some resources to help you get started.

• Managing your child's diabetes: Self-care and preventive care are the key to preventing complications and living a full life. With our helpful tools and videos, learn what you can do to help your child stay healthy, learning and growing with diabetes.
• Camp Kudzu: Camping sessions, family weekends and teen retreats for kids with Type 1 diabetes and their families. The focus is on fun and sharing, and children and families can relax with others who understand their daily challenges.
• Patient family handbook: Download and print this handbook, and keep it handy. It includes information and checklists, as well as forms and charts that you can fill out to make managing diabetes easier.
• Classes: Children's offers several classes on diabetes and self-care for children and their families.
• For school nurses and daycare providers: Making schools and daycares safe for kids with diabetes takes everyone's cooperation. Children's offers information, classes and contacts to help teachers and other caretakers do their part.

Ways to get involved

Whether you're a patient, family member, staff member or donor, if you're part of the Children's family, you play an integral role in making a difference in the care we provide for the many families that need our services. Please contact Angie Duprey for more information.

• Share your story and be part of ours.
• Recognize a staff member: Our staff is passionate about providing the best care for children with diabetes. Along the way, they build relationships with the entire family. We would love to hear about staff you encountered who went above and beyond.
• Make a donation: Our generous donors are dedicated to helping ensure children with diabetes receive the best possible care and the resources needed to succeed. As a Children's donor, you know your gift will be used to support advanced research, treatments and dedicated pediatric care for children with diabetes.

Online resources

American Diabetes Association Georgia Chapter

Georgia Diabetes Coalition

Georgia Chapter Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation