Blood sugar, also known as blood glucose, is a laboratory measurement that quantifies the concentration of sugar in your bloodstream. It is part of standard lab work during a physical examination, and is also used to diagnose and monitor diabetes. Blood sugar levels fluctuate greatly depending on activity and diet during the course of a day, but the normal range for blood sugar in children is 70 to 150 mg/dL. The normal range may be different for individuals and diabetic children.
Significance
Blood sugar, or glucose, is one of the primary sources of energy for your child's body. It can be used immediately for energy or stored for later use in liver, muscles and fat. Measuring blood sugar levels in children gives an accurate picture of their energy demands, as well as their regulatory control of glucose levels. Children who have difficulty maintaining proper blood glucose control may suffer from an endocrine disorder, such as diabetes.
Normal Blood Sugar
In healthy children, the normal range for blood sugar levels is 70 to 150 mg/dL. This number can fluctuate greatly during the day, especially after meals when it increases, and after exercise when it decreases. Children with a disorder like diabetes can have very high blood sugar levels when assessed in the doctor's office, and this measurement can help with diagnosis.
Types of Detection
In the doctor's office, blood sugar tests are part of the regular blood draw workup for either a physical examination or diagnosis of a medical problem. Blood sugar can also be measured at home with a glucose meter, which is a small machine that can quantify blood sugar in a matter of minutes from a pinprick of blood. Children with diabetes can monitor their treatment at home using one of these glucose meters.
Considerations
High or low blood sugar levels are called hyper- and hypoglycemia, respectively. When your child has one of these conditions, they will display a wide range of symptoms that may convince a physician to order a blood glucose test. Symptoms of high blood sugar include frequent urination, excessive thirst and weight loss. Low blood sugar in children causes hunger, shakiness, rapid heart rate, headaches and drowsiness. If your child displays these symptoms on a regular basis, it is a good idea to talk with your pediatrician.
Misconceptions
A blood sugar reading outside the range of 70 to 150 mg/dL can have many interpretations. It is important not to jump to the conclusion that your child is very sick. In the absence of other symptoms of high or low blood sugar, it may be a reading that was the result of a large meal or lots of activity. Also, each child will have a specific normal blood glucose reading that can only be determined by regular physicals and check-ups.
