Focus on diabetology
Carbohydrates, especially glucose, are important sources of energy and are required for numerous metabolic processes and bodily functions (e.g. in the central nervous system). The glucose concentration in the organism is of central importance and is regulated by the hormone insulin. As the body's own signalling substances, hormones mediate communication between different organs in the body and regulate numerous metabolic processes. Disruptions in the effect of insulin and the associated metabolic processes can lead to chronic diseases.
Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disease in which the concentration of glucose in the blood is too high (hyperglycaemia). A distinction is made between different types of diabetes: type 1 diabetes mellitus, type 2 diabetes mellitus, genetic diabetes (e.g. MODY genes) and other rarer forms of diabetes. Regardless of the type of diabetes, insulin therapy must be started for every child with significant hyperglycaemia. However, the type of diabetes is of particular importance for the therapy as well as for the training and counselling of those affected and their relatives.
Approximately 5-10% of all diabetes cases are cases of type 1 diabetes mellitus, which mainly occurs in children, adolescents and young adults. It is caused by chronic inflammation in the pancreas, in which the insulin-producing ß-cells of the islets of Langerhans are destroyed. The causes of this are only partially known. In addition to a genetic predisposition, environmental factors (e.g. diet and viral infections) appear to play a significant role. The inflammatory processes that underlie type 1 diabetes mellitus and lead to a continuous reduction in ß-cell mass take place over a varying period of time before the clinical manifestation of the disease. If insulin production falls below 15-20% of the norm, clinical manifestations occur. The lack of endogenous insulin in patients with type 1 diabetes mellitus is replaced by insulin therapy, which is required for the rest of the patient's life. Intensive and individualised diabetes care by experts and the support of the family are particularly important for this.
Our experienced and dedicated diabetes team, consisting of diabetologists, diabetes counsellors, nutritionists, psychologists and exercise therapists, cares for diabetes patients and their families with the aim of providing the best possible therapy and the best possible quality of life. We utilise the developments in modern diabetes technology with regard to glucose measurements (sensor technology) and continuous insulin applications (pump therapy, closed-loop systems). We are recognised as an inpatient and outpatient treatment facility for children and adolescents with diabetes mellitus in accordance with the quality criteria for a certified diabetes centre by the German Diabetes Association (DDG). We have specialised in the treatment of children and adolescents with all forms of diabetes for over 40 years. In addition to caring for patients, we work on scientific research projects to gain new insights into the causes of diabetes mellitus and to improve patient care.
- Diagnosis of all diabetes diseases in children and adolescents
- Prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diabetes-related secondary diseases
- Outpatient treatment and training of patients with diabetes mellitus
- Outpatient care for diabetes patients who are difficult to control
- Therapy optimisation by means of continuous subcutaneous glucose measurement
- Inpatient treatment and training for diabetes manifestations
- Adjustment to an insulin pump / sensor-supported pump therapy
- Psychological counselling and motivation in accepting and coping with the disease
- Nutritional counselling and exercise therapy
- Social counselling
- Staff training in schools and nurseries
- Information events for parents
Consultation hours
University outpatient clinic for diabetology / training centre for children and adolescents with diabetes mellitus(during our consultation hours)
Training centre for children and young people with diabetes mellitus
Our training centre offers outpatient and inpatient training courses for children and young people and their relatives all year round.
To the training programmes
"Self-employed with type 1 diabetes"
"Der Weg zur Selbstständigkeit von Kindern und Jugendlichen mit Diabetes mellitus Typ 1" is a cooperation project of the association "Diabetes Kinder Ulm und Umgebung e.V." and the diabetes outpatient clinic of the University Children's Hospital Ulm and is supported by the association "Herzenssache e.V.". Educational activities for children and young people with type 1 diabetes are organised approximately once a month.
You can find more information about the activities here.