Intensive diabetes management in pediatric patients.

Intensive diabetes management requires frequent home glucose monitoring, multiple daily insulin injections or chronic subcutaneous insulin infusion, and adjustments of insulin doses in response to changes in blood glucose levels, food intake, and exercise. It also requires a periodic review of previous glucose results to recognize patterns of hyper- or hypoglycemia. The goals of intensive management are age dependent. In young children, avoidance of severe hypoglycemia is the major goal. In older children and adolescents, lowering hemoglobin A(1c) becomes an increasingly important goal. In children of all ages, the ability to have a flexible lifestyle and meal plan is often a priority. This article provides a brief overview of the rationale for implementing intensive diabetes management in pediatric patients, and practical guidelines for implementation.