Fifteen-minute consultation: Illness management in type 1 diabetes.

Abstract

Children and young people with type 1 diabetes (T1D) often require support when faced with the common illnesses and infections of childhood. Illnesses particularly associated with fever can cause glucose management to be less predictable and more of a challenge, leading them to seek advice from healthcare professionals. In hours, this is often provided by specialist paediatric diabetes teams. Out of hours, particularly in the district general setting, this falls to the specialist paediatric trainee on call. Increasing use of technology in the management of diabetes can make this feel even more daunting. Providing correct advice is essential as it can prevent morbidity associated with diabetic ketoacidosis and hypoglycaemia. It also generates trust in the wider clinical team. This article demonstrates the application of national and international guidance on managing illness in T1D to provide practical advice for the general paediatrician in managing common out of hours scenarios.