Question
What Could Be the Causes of Low Blood Sugar in Children?
Answer
Hypoglycemia refers to a condition where a child’s blood sugar concentration is less than or equal to 2.8 millimoles per liter, accompanied by clinical symptoms. Hypoglycemia is the result of a loss of dynamic balance among various factors regulating glucose metabolism. Possible causes or pathologies of pediatric hypoglycemia include ketotic hypoglycemia, hyperinsulinemia due to insulinoma or dysfunction, glycogen storage disease, galactosemia, and hypopituitarism or adrenal insufficiency. The most common is ketotic hypoglycemia, accounting for 55% to 70% of cases, often seen in infants and young children aged 9 months to 5 years, typically occurring after infections, vomiting, or prolonged fasting. It usually resolves naturally before the age of 8 to 9 years, with boys being twice as likely to be affected as girls, and most cases occurring in the morning. The blood sugar level of affected children can drop to 2.2 to 2.8 millimoles per liter, often accompanied by ketonemia and ketonuria. Older children may experience symptoms such as hunger, pallor, sweating, weakness, thirst, headache, and even convulsions. Symptoms improve rapidly after oral sugar water or intravenous glucose injection. During recurrence periods, the health condition of affected children is generally good but may be slightly underweight compared to age-matched peers.