Baby girl diagnosed with diabetes at three months old Content Two-year-old Bebel surprises herself by measuring her blood sugar appears for the first time in Um Diabético.
Little Maria Isabel, better known as Bebel, daughter of Milena Corrêa, a 37-year-old nephrologist and mother of four, was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, a rare, non-autoimmune form of the disease, at three months old.
In an interview with the A portal for diabeticsMilena reported that Maria Isabel was born healthy and with all her tests normal. However, at three months, she began to experience symptoms similar to bronchiolitis, with wheezing and extreme tiredness. After several visits to the emergency room, the situation worsened, culminating in an episode of coma caused by a diabetic ketoacidosisa serious complication of the disease.
“When they finally measured her glucose, it was so high that it couldn’t be measured with conventional machines. It was a shock to find out she had diabetes at three months,” says Milena.
Maria Isabel spent a month in intensive care, where she was introduced to the use of an insulin pump for better glycemic control. Milena emphasizes the importance of technology in managing her daughter’s diabetes:
“The insulin pump and continuous glucose monitoring have been essential. I can’t imagine what it would be like without these features.”
The first few months after her diagnosis were difficult. Regulating Maria Isabel’s blood sugar, especially when introducing food, was a daunting task. Her mother explains that, because of her young age, any dose of insulin that was too high would cause hypoglycemia, while any dose that was too low would cause hyperglycemia.
“Introducing food, starting at six months, was a huge challenge. Each new food was an unknown and insulin regulation was extremely difficult.” remember Milena.
The family has had to learn to cope with the ups and downs of diabetes while trying to keep life as normal as possible for Bebel and her siblings. Milena highlights the support she has found on social media, where other moms have shared their experiences and practical solutions:
“Social networking gave me direction. I saw other people living well with diabetes, which helped me accept and cope with the diagnosis.”
Challenges and hopes
Today, at two years and six months, Bebel leads a lighter life, thanks to the support of his family and the technologies available. Milena believes that the experience shared on social media has been fundamental in finding a positive path:
“Seeing other children and adults living well with diabetes made me realize that this wasn’t just a phrase. There are many healthy diabetics living normal lives.”
Maria Isabel’s adaptation to school was another important milestone. Initially, Milena was concerned about how glycemic control would be at school, but the nutrition team was dedicated to learning and collaborating:
“The school’s nutrition team was incredible. They learned how to count carbs, use the insulin pump, and monitor blood sugar. This made a world of difference in Bebel’s adjustment to school.”
Milena also emphasizes the importance of explaining the situation to Maria Isabel in a positive way:
“I always explained to her and her siblings that the pump was a ‘medicine’ she needed to stay strong. This helped normalize the situation and prevent her from feeling different or left out.”
Diabetes monitoring only
On the path to autonomy and acceptance of diabetes, Maria Isabel, despite her young age, already demonstrates independence when she measures her blood sugar. Milena proudly tells how her daughter has learned to perform this essential task:
“Since she turned two, Bebel has been interested in the process and wanted to do it herself. I remember the first few times she tried, pressing the device without success, but I let her play and get used to it. Before she turned two, she was already able to measure her blood sugar levels on her own. I remember crying with emotion when I saw her do it for the first time, laughing and playing. This not only gives us more security, but also makes her feel in control of her health, she cleans her little finger and takes the measurement with a smile on her face. Seeing this progress made me realize that suffering in advance is often not justified.”
Learn more about Bebel’s story by watching the video below:
Contents Two-year-old Bebel surprises himself by measuring his own glucose and appears for the first time in A Diabetic.
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
