Low blood sugar, or hypoglycemia, is a condition in which the blood cells do not have enough sugar, or glucose, to supply energy. Children who have low blood sugar are most often diabetic. Low blood sugar in non-diabetic children can occur, according to the Lucile Packard Children's Hospital at Stanford, in California, but it is unusual. Normal blood sugar levels for a child ranges between 70 and 150 mg/dl and is considered low if the glucose levels measure under 70 mg/dl. There are many symptoms associated with a child's hypoglycemia, but each child will react somewhat differently.
Mood Changes
Mood changes are common in kids who have experienced a drop in their blood sugar levels. Overall crankiness, being irritable or mean, and episodes of crying for seemingly no reason may all be symptoms of hypoglycemia. The Nemours Foundation's online information service Kidshealth.org also states that confusion can be a sign of pediatric hypoglycemia.
Impaired Motor Skills
Children who suffer from low blood sugar may show a temporary impairment of their gross motor skills. They may appear clumsy, or may have a hard time walking or balancing. Movements that are normally smooth may appear rough and jerky, or slowed down significantly if fatigue sets in.
Hunger
Low blood sugar may simply be evident by an increase in hunger. Some kids may have a huge appetite when their blood glucose levels are low; others may feel actual hunger pangs and have stomach pain.
Dizziness
Dizziness, lightheadedness and feeling shaky are all symptoms of pediatric hypoglycemia. A diabetic child who says she feels dizzy should be attended to right away to avoid possible injury from falls or fainting.
Vision Problems
Seeing double or having blurry vision can be a sign that a child has hypoglycemia. These symptoms may be hard for a young child to explain to his parents, and may be scary. Parents may be able to explain to their child that he will begin to feel better and his eyes will see normally again once he has something to eat.
Rapid Heart Rate
A child who shows symptoms of low blood sugar may display a change in her vital signs. Her heart may begin to beat faster. She may also begin to sweat as her heart races and appear pale, almost gray, in color. Once the child gets some glucose into her system through food or medication, the heart rate will return to normal.
Quick Remedy
Eating a piece of candy or drinking orange juice or milk can be an immediate form of treatment for low blood sugar, according to the medical experts at Stanford's Lucile Packard Children's Hospital.
