Elevated Blood Sugar in Children

Elevated blood sugar in children, also known as hyperglycemia, occurs when glucose accumulates in the blood causing blood glucose levels to be too high. According to Dr. Steven Dowshen of the Nemours Foundation, elevated blood sugar and hyperglycemia in children is the "hallmark to diabetes" and occurs when children's bodies are unable to make insulin, also known as Type 1 diabetes, or when their bodies are unable to respond to insulin properly, known as Type 2 diabetes.

• Elevated blood sugar in children

Identification

• According to Dr. Dowshen, children with elevated blood sugar levels may experience symptoms such as frequent urination caused from the kidney's attempt to flush the body of excess glucose, along with an extreme thirst as a result of excess urination. Children with elevated blood sugars may also experience an increase in appetite yet lose weight due to the body's breakdown of muscle and stored fat to provide fuel and energy for cells that lack insulin to process glucose for energy. Children may also feel extreme fatigue due to their body's inability to use glucose properly for energy.

Treatment

• Treating elevated blood sugar in children involves treating the underlying cause for the increase in glucose levels. Possible treatments may include ensuring that your child is receiving the correct dosage amount of insulin, checking your child's blood sugar levels regularly, adjusting insulin intake based on your child's diet, working with a registered dietitian to create or adjust your child's daily meal plans, scheduling daily exercise for your child, monitoring your child's stress levels, working with your pediatrician during times of illness to monitor glucose levels and checking that all additional use of medications does not promote elevated blood sugar levels.

Considerations

• Dr. Dowshen warns parents that sustained periods of elevated blood sugar levels in children can lead to diabetic ketoacidosis, or DKA. Diabetic ketoacidosis can lead to symptoms such as fatigue, excessive thirst and urination, dehydration and dry mouth. Severe diabetic ketoacidosis symptoms may include nausea, vomiting, abdominal pain, rapid and/or deep breathing, fruity breath odor, confusion or unconsciousness also known as a "diabetic coma." Speak with your pediatrician about home urine tests that monitor ketone levels to diagnose diabetic ketoacidosis and monitor symptoms to prevent severe complications. Blood glucose meters may also be available with ketone monitoring options.

Prevention/Solution

• Treating elevated blood sugar levels in children, or hyperglycemia, appropriately is the best means to appropriately manage their symptoms and prevent the development of DKA. Follow your child's prescribed diabetes management plan and make sure your child takes insulin and diabetes medications exactly as prescribed. Monitor blood sugar levels regularly and ketone levels when indicated and follow prescribed meal plans and appropriate mediation adjustments if changes to meals are made.

Warning

• If you suspect that your child is beginning to suffer from DKA as a result of sustained elevated blood sugar levels, seek medical attention immediately. Dr. Dowshen recommends that all adult family members and all of your child's school staff and caregivers should know about the risks of DKA as a result of sustained elevated blood sugar levels and when to contact emergency personnel for medical assistance. He also recommends that parents teach their children to wear some sort of medical identification such as a necklace, bracelet or back-pack charm to provide pertinent medical and emergency contact information.