What is hypoglycemia in children?

Hypoglycemia is when the level of sugar (glucose) in the blood is too low. People often call it "low blood sugar." Glucose is the main source of fuel for the brain and the body. The normal range of blood glucose is about 70 to 140 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL). The amount differs based on the most recent meal and other things, including medicines taken. Babies and small children with type 1 diabetes will have different goal ranges of blood glucose levels than older children.

What causes hypoglycemia in a child?

Hypoglycemia can be a condition by itself. Or it can be a problem caused by diabetes or other illness. It’s most often a problem in someone with diabetes. It happens when there’s too much insulin. This is also called an insulin reaction.

Causes in children with diabetes may include:

• Too much insulin or oral diabetes medicine.

• The wrong kind of insulin.

• Incorrect blood-glucose readings.

• A delayed or missed meal.

• Not enough food eaten for the amount of insulin taken.

• More exercise than normal.

• Diarrhea or vomiting.

• Injury, illness, infection, or emotional stress.

• Other health problems, such as celiac disease or an adrenal problem.

• Taking diabetes medicine called sulfonylurea.

• Problems present at birth (congenital) with how the body processes glucose and starches.

• Rare genetic problems.

Hypoglycemia may also happen in these cases:

• After strenuous exercise.

• During period of time not eating food (fasting).

• During illnesses that include vomiting and diarrhea.

• When taking certain medicines.

• After abusing alcohol or salicylates, such as aspirin.

• Conditions that cause too much insulin in the body (hyperinsulinism).

• Tumor on the pancreas that makes insulin (insulinoma).

Which children are at risk for hypoglycemia?

The biggest risk factor is having type 1 diabetes.

What are the symptoms of hypoglycemia in a child?

Symptoms can happen a bit differently in each child. They can include:

• Shakiness.

• Dizziness.

• Sweating.

• Hunger.

• Headache.

• Grouchiness (irritability).

• Pale skin.

• Sudden moodiness or behavior changes, such as crying for no reason or throwing a tantrum.

• Clumsy or jerky movements.

• Trouble paying attention.

• Confusion.

• Tingling feelings around the mouth.

• Seizure.

• Nightmares and confusion when waking up.

The symptoms of hypoglycemia can be like other health conditions. Make sure your child sees their doctor for a diagnosis.

How is hypoglycemia diagnosed in a child?

The doctor will ask about your child’s symptoms and health history. They may also ask about your family’s health history. They will give your child a physical exam. Your child may also have blood tests to check blood sugar levels.

When a child with diabetes has symptoms of hypoglycemia, the cause is most often an insulin reaction.

For children with symptoms of hypoglycemia who don’t have diabetes, the doctor may:                                                                                                                     

• Measure levels of blood sugar and some hormones while the child has symptoms.

• See if symptoms get better when the child eats food or sugar.

• Do tests to measure insulin action.

Your child may need to do a supervised fasting study in the hospital. This lets doctors test for hypoglycemia safely.

How is hypoglycemia treated in a child?

Treatment will depend on your child’s symptoms, age, and general health. It will also depend on how bad the condition is.

For children with diabetes, the goal of treatment is to stay at a safe blood glucose level. This is done by:

• Testing blood glucose often.

• Learning the symptoms.

• Treating low blood sugar quickly.

• Seeing that the child exercises and eats healthy food each day (as much as possible).

To treat low blood glucose quickly, your child should eat or drink something with sugar, such as:

• Orange juice.

• Cake icing.

• A hard candy.

• Glucose tablets.

Don't use carbohydrate foods high in protein, such as whole milk or nuts. They may increase the insulin response to dietary carbohydrates.

Blood glucose levels should be checked every 15 to 20 minutes until they are above 100 dg/dL.

Your child's doctor may prescribe a medicine called glucagon to treat severe hypoglycemia. Glucagon is a medicine that frees the glucose already stored in your child's body. You can get it as an injection or as a powder that's put into the nose. Nasal glucagon is approved for children 4 years and older. Ask your child's doctor which type is best for your child. Ask about glucagon emergency kits for home and school. Have the doctor teach you when and how to use it. Make sure other caregivers for your child know how to use it in an emergency.

What are possible complications of hypoglycemia in a child?

The brain needs blood glucose to function. Not enough glucose can hurt the brain's ability to function. Severe or long-lasting hypoglycemia may cause seizures and serious brain injury.

What can I do to prevent hypoglycemia in my child?

Hypoglycemia can't always be prevented. Most children with type 1 diabetes will have it. The chances of severe hypoglycemia go down as your child gets older. But you can help prevent severe episodes by:

• Testing your child’s blood glucose often, including at night.

• Using only the test strip made for the glucose meter you use. Even different meters from the same company may need a different set of strips.

• Checking that the test strips are not expired.

• Knowing the symptoms.

• Treating the condition quickly.

Other ways to prevent hypoglycemia or make it less of a problem include making sure your child:

• Takes medicines at the right time.

• Eats enough food.

• Doesn't skip meals.

• Checks blood glucose before and after exercising.

• Eats a healthy snack if needed. The snack should include complex carbohydrates and some fat, if possible.

Ask your child's doctor if a continuous glucose monitor may be right for your child. These can be helpful for people at high risk for hypoglycemia.

How can I help my child live with hypoglycemia?

Children with type 1 diabetes or other problems that may cause hypoglycemia need to follow their care plan. It’s important to test blood glucose often, know symptoms, and treat the problem quickly. It's also important to take medicines, exercise, and eat meals on a regular schedule.

Work with your child's doctor to make a plan that fits your child's schedule and activities. Teach your child about diabetes. Encourage them to write down questions they have about diabetes and bring them to doctor appointments. Give them time to ask the doctor the questions. Check that the answers are given in a way your child can understand. Work closely with school nurses, teachers, and psychologists to develop a plan that's right for your child.

When should I contact my child's doctor?

Contact your child’s doctor if:

• Your child has hypoglycemia often.

• The episodes are moderate to severe.

• Your child has new symptoms.

Key points about hypoglycemia in children

• Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) happens when the blood glucose is too low to fuel the brain and the body.

• It may be a condition by itself. Or it may be caused by diabetes or another illness.

• To treat low blood glucose right away, your child should eat or drink something with sugar. This may be glucose tablets, orange juice, or a hard candy.

• Severe or long-lasting hypoglycemia may cause seizures and serious brain injury.

Next steps

Tips to help you get the most from a visit to your child’s doctor:

• Know the reason for the visit and what you want to happen.

• Before your visit, write down questions you want answered.

• At the visit, write down the name of a new diagnosis, and any new medicines, treatments, or tests. Also write down any new directions your doctor gives you for your child.

• Know why a new medicine or treatment is prescribed and how it will help your child. Also know what the side effects are.

• Ask if your child’s condition can be treated in other ways.

• Know why a test or procedure is recommended and what the results could mean.

• Know what to expect if your child does not take the medicine or have the test or procedure.

• If your child has a follow-up appointment, write down the date, time, and purpose for that visit.

• Know how you can contact your child’s doctor after office hours or on weekends. This is important if your child becomes ill and you have questions or need advice.