Diabetes is a chronic, life-threatening condition in which a person does not produce or favorably respond to insulin, an essential hormone secreted by the pancreas that regulates the amount of glucose present in the bloodstream. Overweight or obese children are at risk of developing diabetes, which makes knowing healthy blood glucose levels for children key to preventing disease development or progression.
Type 1 versus Type 2
Type 1 and type 2 diabetes are the two main types of this disease. With Type 1 diabetes, your pancreas does not make insulin; you need to take insulin to help control your blood sugar levels. Type 2 diabetics produce insulin; however, their cells do not react to it when the hormone binds to receptor sites found in cell membranes, which trigger the cells' uptake. With a mild case of type 2 diabetes, diet and exercise can sufficiently manage this condition. For some, this treatment is not effective and oral medications called secretagogues, which stimulate the production of insulin, must be added to the treatment plan. Type 2 diabetics with unmanaged blood glucose levels eventually cease to produce it, which requires daily administration of insulin through a pump or injections.
Hybrid Diabetes
A phenomenon called "hybrid" or "mixed" diabetes has been diagnosed in children and teens who exhibit characteristics of both type 1 and type 2 diabetes. Children with this condition often present with insulin resistance associated with type 2 diabetes and pancreatic islet cell antibodies, which are present in the bloodstream when beta cells of the pancreas are damaged, associated with type 1 diabetes. In this case, both insulin injections and oral medications may be needed for effective treatment.
Statistics
According to 2011 information from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 151,000 children and young adults under age 20 have diabetes. Type 2 diabetes is rarely diagnosed in children under age 10; however, after age 10, the condition becomes common with diagnoses occurring mostly in minorities.
Before-meal Ranges
Appropriate blood glucose levels vary by age group and additional factors, such as before or after meals and time of day. Children under age 6 should have before-meal blood glucose levels between 100 and 180 mg/dL. Blood glucose levels in children ages 6 to 12 should range from 90 to 180 mg/dL and adolescents ages 13 to 19 should have readings between 90 and 130 mg/dL. Consuming a healthy diet will help your child control his blood glucose levels.
Bedtime/Overnight Ranges
Your child's blood glucose should be checked before bed and upon waking. Children under age 6 should have blood glucose levels between 110 and 200 mg/dL at bedtime or overnight. At these time, children ages 6 to 12 should have blood glucose levels between 100 to 180 mg/dL, and adolescents ages 13 to 19 should have readings between 90 and 150 mg/dL.
A1C Percentages
A1C, which is commonly referred to as glycosylated hemoglobin, glycated hemoglobin, hemoglobin A1C and HbA1c, is a blood test used to diagnose diabetes and to determine how well you've managed your child's condition. It measures the percentage of hemoglobin, an oxygen-carrying protein found in red blood cells, covered with sugar. This percentage serves as a 2 to 3 month average of your child's blood glucose levels and indicates either poor or appropriate blood glucose management. Higher percentages indicate poor blood glucose control, and lower percentages indicate good blood glucose control. A1C levels in children under age 6 should be less than or equal to 8.5 percent, but greater than or equal to 7.5 percent. Children ages 6 to 12 should have A1C readings less than 8 percent and adolescents ages 13 to 19 should have readings less than 7.5 percent.
References
- MayoClinic.com; A1C Test Definition; Jan. 21, 2011
- National Diabetes Education Program: Overview of Diabetes in Children and Adolescents
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Children and Diabetes - More Information,; May 20, 2011
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention; Take Charge of Your Diabetes: Keeping Track of Your Blood Glucose; July 30, 2010
