Pediatric Hypoglycemia

Hypoglycemia is when the level of sugar (glucose) in the blood is too low. 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.

Causes

Hypoglycemia can be a condition by itself or it can be a complication of diabetes or other disorder. It’s most often a problem in someone with diabetes. It occurs 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 missed meal
• A delayed meal
• Not enough food eaten for the amount of insulin taken
• More exercise than normal
• Diarrhea or vomiting
• Injury, illness, infection, or emotional stress

Causes in children without diabetes may include:

• Include other metabolic diseases such as growth hormone dificiency, cortisol deficiency etc.

Symptoms

• 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