Diabetes Program (Childhood and Adolescent)

Choosing Children’s National for Diabetes Care

At Children’s National, we provide a full range of services for our patients living with diabetes. Our team of experts is with you from your child’s initial diagnosis through treatment and follow-up care. We take time to explain the diagnosis, maintain regular appointments and identify healthy habits and behaviors that will contribute to your child’s quality of life.

Highlights of our program include:

• Reputation. We are an American Diabetes Association (ADA) recognized program and are ranked in the top 10 nationally by U.S. News & World Report. Learn more.
• World-renowned experts. Some of the world’s leading experts in diabetes are working right here at Children’s National. Our experts are committed to quality care and their work extends beyond our hospital, many of them working with the states of Maryland and Virginia to advocate for safe diabetes care in schools and institutions and serving on national diabetes committees. Meet the team.
• Full spectrum of care services. We care for children that are prediabetic, as well as those who have more unusual types of diabetes, such as maturity onset diabetes of the young (MODY), cystic fibrosis-related diabetes (CFRD), neonatal diabetes and medication-induced diabetes. Visit us at one of our locations.
• Patient education. As an ADA-recognized education provider, our intensive and comprehensive education program teaches you and your child how to manage diabetes. We provide instruction on insulin administration, blood glucose monitoring, medical nutrition therapy, exercise and coping skills. We also make daily phone reminders for patients that have to adjust their insulin doses and offer individual face-to-face educational sessions.
• Integrated clinical research and advanced technology. The Diabetes Program aims to use clinical research to address the treatment of Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. Our team is continually working towards bringing cutting-edge drug and device clinical trials to our patients. In addition, we offer the latest technological options, such as insulin pump therapy and glucose monitoring, to treat your child in the most effective way. We are also participating in a multi-center clinical trial to test the efficacy of the iLet bionic pancreas — a device that automatically regulates blood sugar levels in patients with Type 1 diabetes. Learn more. 
• Community engagement. We work closely with our Diabetes Program Advisory Committee, which is comprised of our patients’ families and community stakeholders. The Advisory Committee meets annually to evaluate and recommend family-centered initiatives for the program. In addition, we host an annual Halloween Candy Exchange and various teen support groups, in collaboration with our Psychology program.
• State-of-the-art facility. The Washington Nationals Diabetes Care Complex is the highlight of our care delivery. The complex allows Children’s National to provide quality diabetes care through state-of-the-art outpatient treatment rooms and an education center, where families can participate in simulation labs to learn about proper nutrition and physical exercise - keys to successful diabetes management. Learn more.

Family Resources

At Children’s National we understand the benefit of keeping parents informed. We have expert advice on how you can help your child with diabetes maintain a normal life. Read some of our helpful tips:

• How do I help my teen manage his Type 1 diabetes?
• Managing your child’s diabetes during the holidays
• Managing blood sugar levels in sick kids
• After school snacks for kids with diabetes