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November 2023

Vol. 2, Issue 10 

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With fall break and Thanksgiving upon us, it is the perfect time to step back and carve out some time for rest and relaxation. Savor quality time with your family and friends, enjoy good food, and make some time for yourself! Your commitment and support mean the world to us, and we're truly grateful for your interest in The Pulse newsletter. We are THANKFUL you're choosing to stay connected with us!

The Monthly Spotlight


American Diabetes Month

Diabetes results from glucose utilization issues. Glucose is a cell's primary energy source and insulin, produced by the pancreas, helps glucose enter cells. There are two types of diabetes: type 1 (insufficient insulin production) and type 2 (decreased insulin response)1. Individuals with type 1 diabetes can experience symptoms like nausea, vomiting, or stomach pains. Type 1 diabetes can be diagnosed at any age. Whereas, symptoms of type 2 diabetes may take several years to present, and some may not even be aware of any symptoms. Typically, type 2 emerges in adulthood, but there’s a growing incidence of it developing in children and teens2. To manage diabetes, regular blood sugar checks are essential to prevent hypo- and hyperglycemia. A healthy lifestyle, including exercise, a balanced diet, and timely medication helps maintain normal blood sugar levels3.


  1. KidsHealth - What's Diabetes?
  2. CDC - Diabetes Symptoms
  3. KidsHealth - Sports, Exercise, and Diabetes

Did you know...

  • The Insulin Pump Therapy and Diabetes in the School Setting videos are now available on our website. Stay tuned for the full length recordings of the remaining sessions soon!
  • The slides from each of this summer's workshops are also available on our website.
  • Our website houses numerous free resources you can access at any time, including full recordings of previous school nurse workshops.

If you have any questions concerning school nurse workshops or any other school nurse resources available at Children's of Alabama, please reach out to our School Nurse Liaison, Ginger Parsons, via telephone at (205) 638-6287 or email at ginger.parsons@childrensal.org

Visit our website for more info

Do you have students who have diabetes whose providers are at Children's of Alabama?

If you have students with diabetes whose provider is located at Children's of Alabama, please read the following notice regarding dietary needs in the school setting.

Read the notice here

Epilepsy Awareness Month

Epilepsy is a neurological condition characterized by recurrent, unprovoked seizures. Not all seizures are attributed to epilepsy, as some may be linked to factors such as brain injury or genetic predisposition1

Proper first aid for seizures involves the “Stay. Safe. Side.” approach. Stay with the person, start timing the seizure, and ensure they are Safe. Gently turn them onto their Side if they’re not conscious. It’s important not to insert anything into their mouth or try to restrain them.

Certain epilepsy syndromes in childhood may be outgrown, leading to the discontinuation of medication. Others can be more persistent and severe, making them less responsive to anti-seizure drugs2,3.

There are several strategies to improve the experience of living with epilepsy. Effectively managing stress and ensuring sufficient, quality sleep are crucial steps. Educating the child about their condition can also help make it less scary, and provide reassurance that they have support and understanding4.


For more information, visit Epilepsy Foundation and Children's of Alabama's Pediatric Epilepsy Program.


  1. Epilepsy Foundation - What Is Epilepsy?
  2. Epilepsy Foundation - Facts & Statistics About Epilepsy
  3. Epilepsy Foundation - Stopping Seizure Medications
  4. KidsHealth - Epilepsy
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National Injury Prevention Day is the effort to put an end to injuries and violence, which are the number one killer and cause of hospitalization for people ages 1 to 441.


  1. Injury Free Coalition for Kids - National Injury Prevention Day
Click here to register for our school nurse spotlights

Think First Alabama is part of a National Injury Prevention Foundation dedicated to preventing brain, spinal cord and other traumatic injuries. This program is available to your school FREE of charge, and is designed to provide age appropriate injury prevention education for children of all ages.


For more information, or to schedule a session at your school, you can reach out to Julie Farmer via telephone at 205- 638-2729 or email at julie.farmer@childrensal.org

Children's of Alabama partners with multiple state agencies to provide FREE teen driving safety summits to schools throughout Alabama. Join us in Oxford on November 30th for our final summit of 2023, and be on the lookout for future events near you. Space is limited, so reserve your spot today.

Click here to register

Need help educating your students and parents?

Check out KidsHealth


  • Printable resources with advice on children's health, behavior, and growth from before birth through the teenage years
  • Information on a variety of topics including how the body works, homework help, and more
  • Approved by doctors, and has separate sections written specifically for parents, teens, and kids


If you have any suggestions on future content you would like to see featured in our newsletter, please reach out to us via email at healthedu.safety@childrensal.org.

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Inside Pediatrics 


Inside Pediatrics is a free monthly podcast series featuring specialists at Children’s of Alabama and the University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB). Episodes cover topics related to child health and wellness, research and treatment, and frequently complement articles appearing in Inside Pediatrics magazine.

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