Keeping your child's blood sugar at normal levels is important in preventing diabetes, a condition where the body is not able to properly turn food into much-needed energy for the body's cells. Untreated high blood sugar and diabetes can lead to serious health conditions, including kidney disease and eye problems. Fortunately, a healthy lifestyle and early detection of high blood sugar is a factor in preventing diabetes and related health problems.
The Facts
For most healthy children, blood sugar levels should be under 100 milligrams per deciliter, or mg/dl, after fasting for eight to 10 hours. A fasting blood sugar measurement of 126 mg/dl or higher indicates diabetes. A measurement between 100 and 126 mg/dl may indicate a condition called prediabetes, which increases the risk of developing diabetes.
Symptoms
Low blood sugar, also called hypoglycemia, can cause confusion, clumsiness, dizziness and fainting. In healthy children, hypoglycemia most often occurs when a child has not had enough to eat. The symptoms usually go away after eating or drinking something with carbohydrates, such as fruit or fruit juice.
High blood sugar, also called hyperglycemia, usually has no symptoms. In severe cases or cases where chronically high blood sugar has led to prediabetes or diabetes, high blood sugar can cause frequent urination and excessive thirst, extreme hunger, unusual weight loss, fatigue, irritability or blurry vision.
Testing
If you suspect your child might have abnormal blood sugar levels, talk to your pediatrician about scheduling a blood test. Your child will need to fast overnight before getting blood drawn the next morning. Your pediatrician might also wish to schedule a blood test if your child is at high risk for developing diabetes or if there is a history of diabetes in your family.
According to the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, about 186,000 Americans under age 20 have diabetes. If your child is diagnosed with diabetes, your pediatrician will talk to you about treatment and management options.
Diabetes and Treatment
There are two types of diabetes: type 1 and type 2. Both types of diabetes are caused by problems with insulin, a hormone that helps move glucose from foods into your cells for energy.
Type 1 diabetes, often called insulin-dependent diabetes or juvenile diabetes, is an autoimmune disease where the pancreas does not produce insulin. Although type 1 diabetes can occur at any age, it most commonly occurs in children and young adults. Type 1 diabetes is treated with insulin, which helps control blood sugar levels.
Type 2 diabetes is the most common form of diabetes. In type 2 diabetes, the pancreas produces insulin, but the body is not able to use the insulin correctly. This type of diabetes is often connected with obesity. Though it was previously known as adult-onset diabetes, type 2 diabetes is increasingly being diagnosed in children and young adults. Type 2 diabetes can often be controlled or even reversed by achieving a healthy weight, following a balanced diet and staying active with regular exercise.
For both types of diabetes, regularly monitoring blood sugar levels is important.
Prevention
Even if your child is not diagnosed with diabetes, it's important to understand what increases the risk of developing the condition. If your family has a history of diabetes or your own doctor has told you that you are at a higher risk, talk to your pediatrician about testing your child's blood sugar as well.
You can prevent type 2 diabetes and promote good overall health in your children--and yourself--by adopting healthy lifestyle habits as a family. Find ways to be physically active most days of the week. Model good eating habits for your children and encourage a healthy, balanced diet full of fruits, vegetables, whole grains and lean meats. You can help your children adopt lifelong habits that will keep them healthy into adulthood.
