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What Causes Hypoglycemia With Cold Sweats And Shaking In A Child?
Question: My daughter is 3.5 and seems to be presenting with low blood sugar syptoms. Last week an episode of shaking and a cold sweat. I have since checked her blood sugar with a monitor and it seems low to me. Her waking blood sugar is from 66 at the low to 75. The highest after a meal was 110. She can averege throught the day high 70 to 90 but within three hours of eating she is in the 60's again. We went to her prdiatrician who stated hypoglycemia threahold was 60 and said it was a very rare condition. Should i get a second opinion?
Brief Answer:
Evaluate hypoglycaemia if she has actual hypoglycaemic episodes
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Welcome to the HCM
The symptoms you mentioned can be due to hypoglycemia. But, your pediatrician is right in saying that the hypoglycemia in this age is very rare and the levels should be at least less than 60 to be considered as hypoglycemia.
The plasma glucose concentration should ideally be measured with a laboratory-based glucose analyzer. Home blood-glucose monitor's accuracy in the low range is questionable, and they have been shown to provide false-positive and false-negative results.
If your child is symptomatic with low blood sugars and the symptoms improve with sugar administration, then she definitely needs evaluation.
In that case, she will need to be closely monitored as inpatient to take fasting critical blood and urine samples.
This sample is used to measure the various metabolic precursors and hormones involved in glucose counterregulation. It will help to rule out inborn errors in metabolism or hyperinsulism which can lead to hypoglycemia in this age group.
This will help to find out the cause and it's definitely treatment.
Hopefully this will help you. I would be glad to help you in any further questions.
Take care
Evaluate hypoglycaemia if she has actual hypoglycaemic episodes
Detailed Answer:
Hi
Welcome to the HCM
The symptoms you mentioned can be due to hypoglycemia. But, your pediatrician is right in saying that the hypoglycemia in this age is very rare and the levels should be at least less than 60 to be considered as hypoglycemia.
The plasma glucose concentration should ideally be measured with a laboratory-based glucose analyzer. Home blood-glucose monitor's accuracy in the low range is questionable, and they have been shown to provide false-positive and false-negative results.
If your child is symptomatic with low blood sugars and the symptoms improve with sugar administration, then she definitely needs evaluation.
In that case, she will need to be closely monitored as inpatient to take fasting critical blood and urine samples.
This sample is used to measure the various metabolic precursors and hormones involved in glucose counterregulation. It will help to rule out inborn errors in metabolism or hyperinsulism which can lead to hypoglycemia in this age group.
This will help to find out the cause and it's definitely treatment.
Hopefully this will help you. I would be glad to help you in any further questions.
Take care
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Neel Kudchadkar
Can you be more specific with your "actual hypoglycemic episodes" comment. Also, dont all children at this age get moody or irritable between meals that also improve with sugar or a meal? How will i know when to take the next step?
Brief Answer:
The symptoms of hypoglycemia in children
Detailed Answer:
Symptoms of hypoglycemia in children include dizziness, sweating, hunger,anxiousness, confusion, lethargy, poor feeding, irritability and some times seizures.
The irritability associated with normal hunger is associated with alert state of mind and can be easily judged when we stay with children.
In hypoglycemia, the alertness level is below normal. The child will look less responsive and won't demand feeds as normally she does.
If you find that your daughter is symptomatic, check her sugar levels and if it's less than 60 then go for proper evaluation as inpatient as I mentioned earlier.
Hopefully this will help you.
The symptoms of hypoglycemia in children
Detailed Answer:
Symptoms of hypoglycemia in children include dizziness, sweating, hunger,anxiousness, confusion, lethargy, poor feeding, irritability and some times seizures.
The irritability associated with normal hunger is associated with alert state of mind and can be easily judged when we stay with children.
In hypoglycemia, the alertness level is below normal. The child will look less responsive and won't demand feeds as normally she does.
If you find that your daughter is symptomatic, check her sugar levels and if it's less than 60 then go for proper evaluation as inpatient as I mentioned earlier.
Hopefully this will help you.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Neel Kudchadkar
So you feel a morning blood sugar read and sometimes througout the day blood sugar rea on a home test of 66 is not abnormal?
Brief Answer:
Home blood glucose monitors accuracy in low range is questionable
Detailed Answer:
Hi
I would recommend you to check blood glucose levels by laboratory work up if your child consistently suffers from hypoglycaemic symptoms. As accuracy of home glucose monitors in low range is questionable, nothing can be commented.
Abstain from unnecessary pricks for blood test if your child is active and alert.
Take care
Home blood glucose monitors accuracy in low range is questionable
Detailed Answer:
Hi
I would recommend you to check blood glucose levels by laboratory work up if your child consistently suffers from hypoglycaemic symptoms. As accuracy of home glucose monitors in low range is questionable, nothing can be commented.
Abstain from unnecessary pricks for blood test if your child is active and alert.
Take care
Note: For further queries related to your child health, Talk to a Pediatrician. Click here to Book a Consultation.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Prasad
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