Hyperglycemia---a medical condition also known as diabetes---occurs when a child has abnormally high levels of sugar within the blood. In 2007, approximately 186,300 people in the United States under the age of 20 were diagnosed with diabetes, the National Diabetes Information Clearinghouse estimates. If your child develops symptoms of hyperglycemia, speak to your child's pediatrician as soon as possible for further evaluation and care.
Increased Urination
Hyperglycemia can cause increased urination to occur in children. When your child's body detects excess sugar within the blood, it attempts to clear this substance out of the body. This sugar waste product is filtered from the blood by the kidneys, which excrete it out of the body in the form of urine. You may notice that your hyperglycemic child needs to go to the bathroom more frequently or that he excretes a larger-than-normal volume of urine.
Increased Thirst
Children with high blood sugar levels can exhibit increased thirst because of this condition. Increased urination decreases the levels of fluid within the body; your child's body will stimulate her thirst, causing her to drink more to restore normal fluid levels. You may notice that your child complains she is thirsty more often than usual or drinks her juice or milk quickly during meals.
Constant Hunger
If your child has hyperglycemia, he may constantly complain that he is hungry---even if he has just finished eating a meal. Your child's body is unable to effectively utilize the high levels of sugar within his blood. When the body does not have enough energy, it stimulates feelings of hunger within your child. This signal encourages your child to eat more food in an effort to replenish the energy stores of his body.
Sudden Weight Loss
Hyperglycemia can cause sudden, unintended weight loss to occur in some children. Your child's body is unable to effectively utilize the excess sugar within her blood. As a result, her body will begin to burn up her fat and muscle cells to supply her body with the energy it needs, explains the Mayo Clinic. This causes dramatic and sudden weight loss in children with high blood sugar levels.
Vision Changes
A child with hyperglycemia can experience changes in his vision as a symptom of this condition. High sugar levels within the blood cause excess fluid to be pulled from his tissues and organs in an effort to flush the sugar out of his body. When this occurs, fluid can be pulled out of the eye, which can cause your child to experience blurred or double vision.
Fatigue
Your child's body is unable to use the high levels of sugar within his blood. Inadequate energy supplies within his body can contribute to symptoms of frequent or extreme fatigue. As a result, your child may need to take several naps throughout the day or may sleep later than usual in the morning.
