Know the Symptoms of Hypoglycemia in Children Complete with Causes and How to Overcome it

Illustration of blood sugar testing (photo: Pixabay/Stevepb)

YOGYAKARTA - Symptoms of hypoglycemia in children need to be known, because this condition can have serious effects on health, especially in children with type 1 diabetes.

Hypoglycemia occurs when the level of sugar (glucose) in the blood is below the normal limit. In fact, glucose is the main source of energy for the brain and body to function optimally.

In general, normal blood sugar levels range from 70-140 mg/dL, depending on meal time, activity, and the child's health condition. If the sugar level drops below this limit, the child can experience various complaints that require quick treatment.

Know What Is Hypoglycemia in Children

Quoted from the Stanford Medicine Children's Health website, hypoglycemia is a medical condition when blood sugar levels are too low. This condition is most commonly experienced by children with type 1 diabetes due to excess insulin, known as an insulin reaction. Even so, hypoglycemia can also occur in children without diabetes due to certain factors.

In infants and young children with diabetes, the target blood sugar level can be different from that of older children. Therefore, it is important to follow the doctor's advice regarding the safe blood sugar limit in children.

Symptoms of Hypoglycemia in Children

The symptoms of hypoglycemia can vary from child to child. However, there are some symptoms that often appear, including:

Shaking Dizziness Cold sweat Excessive hunger Headache Irritability or fussiness Pale skin Sudden mood changes Uncoordinated or awkward body movements Difficulty concentrating Confusion Tingling around the mouth Seizures Nightmares and confusion when waking up

If not treated immediately, severe hypoglycemia can cause a decrease in consciousness. Because the symptoms can resemble other conditions, a doctor's examination is still necessary to confirm the diagnosis.

Causes of Hypoglycemia in Children

In children with type 1 diabetes, hypoglycemia can be caused by various factors, including:

Too high a dose of insulin or diabetes medication Late or missed meals Insufficient food intake Excessive physical activity Diarrhea or vomiting Emotional stress or infection

Meanwhile, in children without diabetes, hypoglycemia can occur due to:

Fasting too long Heavy exercise without adequate intake Consumption of certain drugs Adrenal gland disorders Hyperinsulinism (excessive insulin production) Insulin-producing pancreatic tumors (insulinoma) Inherited metabolic disorders How to Treat Hypoglycemia in Children

Treatment of hypoglycemia aims to immediately raise blood sugar levels to a safe limit. If the child is conscious and can swallow, give them sweet food or drink such as:

Orange juice Hard candy Sugar icing (icing) Glucose tablets

Avoid high-protein foods such as milk or nuts for early treatment because it can slow down the increase in blood sugar.

Next, check your blood sugar every 15-20 minutes until it reaches more than 100 mg/dL.

For severe conditions, doctors can prescribe glucagon, a drug that helps release the body's glucose reserves. Glucagon is available in both injection and nasal spray forms and is important to have as an emergency medicine at home and school.

That's the information about the symptoms of hypoglycemia in children. Get other interesting news updates by visiting the VOI.id page.