May 26, 2001
Hypoglycemia
Question from Rahway, New Jersey, USA:
About a year ago, my four year old daughter has had low blood sugar and she went into a coma-like state (very lethargic, and unresponsive). The doctor called an ambulance to transport her to a hospital due to very low blood sugar levels. She spent one night in the hospital and was given sugar water via IV. They tested for diabetes, and it was negative.
Recently she was sent for testing again, but they did not make her fast for the test, which was normal. Can it be accurate to test for low blood sugar levels if the patient did not fast prior to the test? Is there ever any other reason for low blood sugar other than diabetes? She has been underweight her whole life and is always eating, and drinking. So I am confused where all her calories go. We notice she gets very cranky and sluggish right before we feed her. She demands food, does not ask, demands! it is very upsetting to see her eat, eat, eat, and not gain much. Her twin is 13 pounds heavier but not overweight. Her dad has type 2 diabetes and so does her dads brother, sister, and their father also.
Answer:
There are other causes for low glucose readings in children, and it is important that your child is properly checked out. Normally if screening tests fail to pick up a cause, the next step would be a diagnostic fast, to try and bring on a low reading, and then perform various tests to find the cause, of which there can be several, ranging from simple causes, related to poor glycogen stores, to more complex metabolic or endocrine causes. It is important that you see a paediatrician with experience in these problems who can arrange to have your child assessed carefully and tested.
JS
