Hemoglobin A1C is a type of hemoglobin that is normally found at low levels in your bloodstream. Levels of hemoglobin A1C are influenced by sugar in the blood, and is therefore a useful measurement of sugar control by individuals with diabetes.
Significance
Hemoglobin A1C is a specific subset of hemoglobin that can be found in your bloodstream. It is notable because it has an extra sugar group attached to it, and the level of hemoglobin A1C is directly proportional to the amount of sugar in your blood. In healthy kids, free sugar in the bloodstream is well-controlled and hemoglobin A1C is low. In children with poorly controlled diabetes, however, hemoglobin A1C can increase greatly.
Measurement
For patients with diabetes, hemoglobin A1C is typically measured on a quarterly visit to the physician. It can also be measured during the period of initial diagnosis of diabetes. Measurement consists of a blood draw from the patient, and subsequent laboratory analysis of A1C levels. The hemoglobin A1C measurement is reported as a percentage, where the number reported is the percentage of total hemoglobin with the A1C sugar modification.
Normal Range
Normal hemoglobin A1C levels vary with the age of a pediatric patient. As a general rule, A1C percentage decreases as a child ages. In children under 6 years old, the normal A1C percentage is between 7.5 and 8.5. Between the ages of 6 and 12, the maximal A1C percentage that is considered normal is 8.0, and after the age of 12, the A1C percentage should not be above 7.5.
Benefits
Measurement of hemoglobin A1C is an informative way to measure glucose levels over a period of months. Since the lifetime of hemoglobin in the bloodstream is about 90 days, the measurement of total A1C percentage is actually assessing the blood sugar levels over a period of approximately three months. During diabetes diagnosis, this is a useful measurement to determine how long a patient has been diabetic. During diabetes treatment, it is a method for tracking effectiveness of a treatment plan.
Prevention/Solution
In a healthy, non-diabetic child, hemoglobin A1C levels should be typically low. For a child with diabetes, however, the best method of controlling A1C levels is by constant blood glucose monitoring and treatment. Tracking a child's diabetes control via A1C percentage is more comprehensive than a simple blood sugar measurement, and can help determine when a child needs a change to her treatment plan.
