Early recognition of hypoglycemia in children

This is an automatically translated article.

The article was professionally consulted by Specialist Doctor I, Resident Doctor Dang Thi Ngoan - Pediatrician - Neonatologist, Department of Pediatrics - Neonatology - Vinmec Ha Long International General Hospital
Not only adults but also infants and children can experience the risk of hypoglycemia. Hypoglycemia in children is easy to cause dangerous complications if not detected early. One of the complications of long-term hypoglycemia in children can cause brain damage. In the article below, parents, let's learn some signs of low blood sugar in children for timely treatment.

1. Find out the cause of low blood sugar in children

The cause of low blood sugar in children is largely due to an inadequate diet, not at the right meal. Children often forget to eat, so when they are hungry, their blood sugar will drop and their body temperature will drop easily. Therefore, if mothers do not promptly feed their children and provide them with nutritional supplements, their blood sugar levels will rapidly decline. In addition, there are some causes of hypoglycemia in children that parents must pay special attention to as follows:
Low birth weight infants, hypothermia Children with malnutrition Congenital metabolic diseases Beckwith syndrome -Weidemann Pancreatic insulinoma tumor Acute adrenal insufficiency Severe illness such as severe malaria, sepsis, Diabetes history under treatment Trauma, toxic exposure

2. Signs to recognize symptoms of low blood sugar in children

If children have the following symptoms, parents need to pay attention because this is most likely a sign of low blood sugar:
The child looks panicked, sweaty, pale skin, shivering The child is uncomfortable irritable, ravenous hunger, fatigue, palpitations Younger children doze off, drool, cry. If the blood sugar is more severe, the following symptoms may be accompanied by the following symptoms:
The child is excited, convulsing The child stammers, slurs, unsteady walking, visual disturbances, loss of consciousness.. In fact, there are many diseases with similar symptoms, that's why parents need to check their child's blood sugar to know the exact cause.

3. How to diagnose and treat hypoglycemia in children?

For mild hypoglycemia (caused by fasting, starvation)
For premature babies about 35-36 weeks or full term, mothers need to breastfeed soon after birth . In case the baby can't suckle on his own, the doctor will take care of him by giving a sugar solution. As for older children, if parents detect signs that the child has hypoglycemia, they should immediately feed the child with foods such as milk porridge, powder, etc. In the following days, children can be fed in several meals. You should divide the time of day to feed the baby.
For severe hypoglycaemia due to pathology
In case if the child has hypoglycaemia due to pathological causes, besides clinical symptoms, it is necessary to correctly orient blood glucose and perform Laboratory tests:
Dextrostix Blood glucose Blood insulin levels Blood cortisone levels Tests for differential diagnosis when needed And if blood sugar (Dextrostix) < 40 mg/dl (<2.2 mmlo/l) ie the child has low blood sugar. At this time, it is best to follow the treatment guidelines of a specialist.

4. When should parents take their children to the hospital?

Take your child to see a specialist if:
The child has a low glycemic index even though he does not have diabetes The child has diabetes and cannot relieve the symptoms of hypoglycemia in some simple ways such as eat candy, take glucose tablets, drink juice,... The child has signs of severe hypoglycemia or is unconscious. What do parents need to do?
Available in factory to measure blood sugar, thermometer, blood pressure monitor. Regularly talk with your treating doctor to adjust the dose of the drug or replace it. In case the child's blood sugar can drop after a meal, parents need to change the diet. Eat small meals throughout the day and avoid sugary foods. If parents receive signs of hypoglycemia in children and take timely measures, it will not be too dangerous for children. Ideally, if the child shows signs of hypoglycemia, take the child to a specialized medical facility as soon as possible.
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