ARTICLES RELATED TO:
diabetes

At just 14 years old, Anzlie has faced significant challenges, yet she remains determined and strong. A first-year high school student, Anzlie has a passion for animals, even raising chickens in her backyard. She is an athlete and a dedicated student in the International Baccalaureate program, balancing academics with volleyball and CrossFit. Anzlie also manages both Type 1 diabetes and scoliosis, two conditions that require continuous care.   Anzlie’s journey with Type 1 diabetes began shortly after she finished first grade. Her mother noticed that Anzlie was excessively thirsty and had lost weight, prompting them to consult a doctor. The diagnosis was confirmed, and they were quickly referred to Nemours Children’s Health, where Dr. Larry Fox and a supportive endocrinology team helped them learn to manage the condition. Anzlie quickly adapted to monitoring her blood sugar and adjusting insulin.   Despite the challenges of diabetes, Anzlie embraced an active lifestyle. She participated […]

Managing a chronic condition like Type 1 Diabetes (T1D) is never easy, especially for children and adolescents. It requires constant attention to blood sugar levels, insulin administration, and carbohydrate intake, among many other factors. But there is a lesser known obstacle to this condition that often goes overlooked: mental health struggles, specifically, depression. Alexandra Monzon, PhD, a clinical pediatric psychologist with Nemours Children’s Hospital, Florida, is working to provide targeted mental health interventions for children with T1D. Why Depression is More Common in Kids with Type 1 Diabetes Dr. Monzon explained that T1D is stressful for young patients due to its demanding and constant nature — it requires patients to “be their own pancreas.” The continuous effort to regulate blood sugar through diet and insulin shots can lead to patients being overwhelmed, anxious, and depressed. Dr. Monzon noted that symptoms can overlap and intensify in patients with Type 1 diabetes […]

At Nemours Children’s Health, our nursing staff is integral to our mission of providing exceptional care to our patients and families. Jenny Pfieffer, a Clinical Nurse Specialist in our Pediatric Diabetes Center, embodies the dedication, compassion, and innovation that defines our nursing team. With over 20 years of experience, Jenny has made a lasting impact on the lives of countless children and families. Inspired by her mother’s belief that “the sky is the limit,” Jenny began her nursing journey in pediatric emergency care. Her work was driven by a deep love for helping others and making a difference. After relocating to Nemours Children’s Health, Jacksonville from Delaware, she transitioned into nursing administration and eventually found her calling to return to the bedside as a Clinical Nurse Specialist at the Diabetes Center. In this role, Jenny helped create a transition program that supports adolescents moving from pediatric to adult diabetes care. […]

As someone who grew up in Delaware, even before I was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes, Nemours Children’s Health has always held a special place for me. During my medical school rotations, I found a mentor in Dr. Daniel Doyle, who showed me the profound impact of pediatric endocrinology. After completing my fellowship training in Philadelphia, I reached out. I was excited to learn that there was an opening for a pediatric endocrinologist at Nemours. It was the moment I had envisioned for so long finally coming to life! Beyond patient care, I’m fortunate to have the opportunity to participate in other activities, such as clinical research. This enables me to consider and investigate the issues my patients encounter, develop targeted interventions to assist them, and conduct trials to gain a deeper understanding of their disease processes, ultimately aiming to enhance their care in the future. I am so fortunate […]

Aiden was tall, strong and active, and his weight was only slightly above expected for his age. His family had no cause for concern until he developed severe, unexplained abdominal pain at the age of 10. After multiple checkups and tests, Aiden was diagnosed with a metabolic liver condition. As part of his treatment, he enrolled at the Healthy Weight and Wellness Clinic at Nemours Children’s Hospital, Delaware, a multidisciplinary clinic dedicated to supporting and guiding families in helping children improve their health and well-being. Now 13, he is proud of the lifestyle changes he’s made working with the clinic. He’s increased his physical activity and added healthy foods to a balanced diet that still includes some teen favorites. “Now, I’ll snack on a salad, and I never thought I would do that,” he said. Aiden and his mother, Jennifer Downey, spoke at a December symposium titled “Obesity and Diabetes […]

Being diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes is often an overwhelming and life changing experience for children and families. Julia Price, PhD, Pediatric Psychologist at Nemours Children’s Health, works to help patients adjust to life with diabetes, using behavioral interventions to help kids and caregivers communicate about managing this complex illness. A major focus of Price’s work is implementation science, which is aimed at making sure that scientific advances ultimately reach the patients and families who most need them. To raise awareness of this work and demonstrate her leadership in this space, on October 11, Price moderated a panel on community participation and partnerships at a workshop held by the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (NIDDK), part of the National Institutes of Health. “This workshop offered a unique opportunity to connect with leaders in the fields of implementation science, health equity and community-engaged research, all focused on […]