Type 2 Diabetes Clinic

Type 2 diabetes is a condition that affects how the body responds to sugar and insulin (hormone that regulates blood sugar). We understand that Type 2 diabetes affects multiple aspects of a young person’s life. At our Type 2 Diabetes Clinic, specialists offer personalized, expert care and resources for your whole family.

U.S. News & World Report ranks us among the best in the country for diabetes and endocrinology care. The same report lists CHLA as one of the top 10 children’s hospitals in the nation.

Type 2 Diabetes Clinic: Why Choose Us

We are the only place in the Southern California region with a dedicated pediatric Type 2 diabetes clinic. At other places, young people with Type 2 diabetes receive treatment alongside children with other conditions and receive less individualized attention.

Additional highlights of our clinic include:

• 24/7 access to experts: When your child or teen receives a diabetes diagnosis, you have 24/7 access to certified diabetes educator, specially trained nurse or doctor at 323-361-2311 for urgent questions. Very few programs offer this level of access to highly-trained experts.
• Robust resources: Our goal is to arm your whole family with all the resources you need to manage Type 2 diabetes at home. Certified diabetes educators provide robust education to help you understand the diagnosis. You may learn more about how to inject insulin, how to use a blood glucose meter and how to count carbohydrates.
• Multiple specialists working together: Managing Type 2 diabetes can be complex. We integrate the expertise of multiple specialists, so families have access to all the services they need. Young people may benefit from working with a psychologist to address emotional or social challenges, a dietitian to address nutrition or a physical therapist to help set exercise goals.
• Access to the latest advances in treatment: Children and adolescents have the opportunity to participate in clinical research studies to advance the care of diabetes treatment. Our specialists will speak with you about all treatment options, including whether your child is a candidate for an open endocrinology research study.

What Is Type 2 Diabetes?

Diabetes is a condition that affects how the body processes glucose (sugar). When you eat or drink, your body breaks down carbohydrates and protein into glucose and other nutrients. In response, your pancreas produces a hormone called insulin to help your body process the glucose and convert it into energy.

People with Type 2 diabetes can produce insulin, but their bodies don’t respond to insulin the way they should. As a result, too much glucose stays in the bloodstream, and the pancreas works even harder to produce even more insulin. Youth with Type 2 diabetes are more likely to develop other health problems in adulthood, including high blood pressure (hypertension), kidney disease, vision loss or heart disease.

Understanding a Type 2 Diabetes Diagnosis

Each week, our certified diabetes educators lead group classes about Type 2 diabetes. Not only do these classes offer robust educational resources, but they also provide an opportunity for you and your child to connect with other families.

These educational classes might review:

• New-onset education (diabetes safety): When your child first receives a diagnosis, our nurse educator, registered dietitian and social worker meet with your family. Our team helps you process the diagnosis, learn more about what it means and understand how to manage the condition at home.
• Diabetes basics: This course is a robust refresher that reviews the basics of diabetes management.

Expert Treatment for Type 2 Diabetes in Teenagers

Type 2 diabetes in children is a much more aggressive condition than Type 2 diabetes in adults. Most children and adolescents with Type 2 diabetes will need to take medications and make lifestyle changes to manage the condition. Teens with the condition may need to follow certain dietary restrictions and may benefit from a structured exercise program.

Our comprehensive care team helps young people learn to live a high quality of life with Type 2 diabetes. Find out more about pediatric diabetes treatment.