As a mother and father, we keep an eye on everything about our children, right? But most of the time, we don't think much about our children's blood sugar levels. We usually don't even check it regularly. But sometimes, small changes in the child's behavior and health can give us clues about this. If you notice something like that, it's best to talk to a doctor as soon as possible. Let's talk about this in a little more detail today.
What are the symptoms of high blood sugar (Hyperglycemia)?
Imagine that your child has just eaten a piece of chocolate cake or ice cream. At that time, his blood sugar level goes up a little. That is normal. In a healthy child, the level returns to normal after a while. So we don't need to worry about such a small increase.
However, if the child's blood sugar levels remain high, regardless of what they eat or drink, that's where we need to be concerned. This could be an early sign of a condition like Diabetes Mellitus.
If you suspect your child's blood sugar level is too high, watch out for these signs:
- Frequent bathroom visits: Does your child feel like they need to urinate frequently? If they're going every hour or two, it could be because their body is trying to get rid of excess glucose in their urine.
- Drinking water in an unusual way: When urinating frequently, a large amount of fluid is released from the body. To compensate for this loss, the child starts drinking more water than usual. If he finishes the water bottle quickly, or if he wakes up at night to ask for water, keep an eye on it.
- Weight loss despite eating well: This is a very important sign. Is your child eating better than usual, but feeling like they're losing weight? This is because the body is unable to use the sugar in the blood for energy, and instead begins to break down muscle and fat for energy.
- Constant tiredness and irritability: Is your child, who used to run around and play, now constantly tired and trying to stay in bed? Does he get angry over small things? This may be because his body is not getting the 'fuel' it needs, that is, energy.
- Vision problems: When blood sugar levels are high, fluid is pulled from the lens of the eye. This makes it difficult for the child to focus properly. They may say, "Mommy, my eyes can't see."
- Yeast Infections: Sugar is a great food source for yeast. This can cause yeast infections in girls, causing itching and burning in the vagina. It can also cause severe, non-healing diaper rashes in babies.
Dangerous symptoms of low blood sugar (Hypoglycemia)
You might think that low blood sugar is better than high. That's true, but only up to a point. If blood sugar levels get too low, it means that the child's body, and especially the brain, isn't getting the energy it needs.
Doctors call this condition hypoglycemia. If it gets too severe, the child can have seizures, lose consciousness, and possibly even suffer brain damage.
This condition can occur even in a child who does not have diabetes. For example, if a child goes to sports practice without eating properly for lunch, the body's energy may run out and the sugar level may suddenly drop. This can also be caused by certain medications or some congenital conditions. Whatever the cause, if you are showing these symptoms, it is imperative to see a doctor.
| External signs of the baby (what you can observe) | Things the child feels (what the child can tell you) |
|---|---|
| Pale or gray skin | Feeling shaky, dizzy |
| Sudden anger or irritability | Headache |
| Confusion (not knowing what to do) | Difficulty seeing clearly |
| To act more clumsily than usual. | Sweating even without exercise |
| Numbness in the skin around the mouth | Feeling hungry all the time |
| Heart palpitations (feeling like your heart is racing) | - |
Very important: Severe hypoglycemia can cause the child to lose consciousness. If the child loses consciousness or has a seizure, it is an emergency. Take the child to the nearest hospital emergency room (ETU) immediately.
What do you do if you see symptoms like these?
If you notice one or more of these symptoms in your child, don't panic. But don't ignore it either.
The best and safest thing to do is to immediately see your family doctor or pediatrician and talk about this. Do not try to diagnose or treat yourself by looking at things on the Internet. If necessary, the doctor will order a blood sugar test. This will help you know for sure whether there is a problem or not.
Take-Home Message
- Don't ignore any sudden increases or decreases in your child's blood sugar levels. These could be early signs of a condition like Diabetes Mellitus.
- Frequent visits to the bathroom, drinking too much water, losing weight despite eating well, and feeling tired all the time are the main symptoms of high blood sugar.
- Sudden paleness, sweating, shaking, and confusion are signs of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia). This can be very dangerous.
- If the child loses consciousness or has a seizure, take them to the hospital's Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) immediately.
- In case of any doubt, do not make decisions on your own, but definitely consult a doctor for advice. A quick diagnosis can give the child a healthy life.
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