Non-diabetic Hypoglycemia In Childhood

GENERAL INFORMATION:

What is non-diabetic hypoglycemia? Hypoglycemia is a condition that happens when the glucose (sugar) in your child's blood drops too low. It is usually related to diabetes, but this type of low blood sugar can happen in children who do not have diabetes. When your child's blood sugar drops too low, his brain cells and muscles do not have enough energy to work. Glucose is also important for helping your child's brain to grow normally.

What causes non-diabetic hypoglycemia in children?

• Your child's body makes too much insulin. Insulin is a hormone that moves glucose out of the blood stream and into cells to be used for energy. This condition is called hyperinsulinism. Hyperinsulinism may be caused by certain medical conditions. For example, a tumor in the pancreas called an insulinoma can sometimes cause the body to produce too much insulin.
  
  
• Low levels of certain hormones.
  
  
• Problems with the way your child's body uses glucose.
  
  
• Ketotic hypoglycemia. This is a condition in which the body changes fats into glucose for energy. This process produces ketones. Ketones are chemicals that can make a child sick.
  
  
• Poisoning with certain types of drugs such as alcohol, diabetes pills, or insulin.
  
  
• Other medical conditions.

What are the signs and symptoms of non-diabetic hypoglycemia in children? Your child may have any of the following:

• Hunger.
  
  
• Sweating.
  
  
• Trouble paying attention (focusing on tasks).
  
  
• Fast heart beat.
  
  
• Weakness.
  
  
• Blurred vision.
  
  
• Dizziness or light-headedness.
  
  
• Nausea (feeling sick) or vomiting (throwing up).
  
  
• Seizures (convulsions).

How is non-diabetic hypoglycemia during childhood diagnosed?

• Health history: Caregivers will ask you questions about your child's symptoms and your family's health. They may ask you about the amount of time between your child's last meal and the start of his symptoms. They may also ask you if any other children in your family have hypoglycemia, or have had it in the past.
  
  
• Fasting test: Caregivers watch your child closely during a period of time in which your child does not eat. This test is done to see if, and when hypoglycemia occurs. When hypoglycemia occurs, caregivers will do tests to find out what is causing it.
  
  
• Blood and urine tests: Testing your child's blood and urine may help caregivers find the cause of his hypoglycemia.
  
  
• Other tests: Caregivers will check your child closely. Pictures of your child's brain may be taken using a CT scan or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). A liver biopsy may also be done. A liver biopsy is a procedure in which a small amount of tissue is taken from the liver and sent to a lab for tests.

How is non-diabetic hypoglycemia in children treated?

• The treatment that your child will receive depends on the cause of the hypoglycemia. The first step of treatment is to raise blood sugar by eating or drinking food with carbohydrates. Some children may need to be given glucose through an IV at a hospital. An IV is a tiny tube placed in your child's vein for giving medicine or liquids. Feeding children often may help to keep their glucose level from getting too low. Your child's hypoglycemia may go away with treatment as he grows. In some cases, your child may need long-term treatment to keep his blood sugar at a normal level. Children may need to take medicine to manage the hypoglycemia. If your child has a tumor in his pancreas, he may need sugery to have the tumor removed. The pancreas is the organ in the body that produces insulin.
  
  
• If your child has ketotic hypoglycemia, he may need to be fed often. He may also need to follow a high-protein, high-carbohydrate diet. Some foods that contain protein are meat, poultry (chicken and turkey), fish, beans, eggs, and nuts. Some foods that contain carbohydrate are bread, tortillas, cereal, rice, and pasta. Other diet changes may be needed for other conditions that cause hypoglycemia. Ask your child's caregiver if he needs to follow a special diet.

What are the risks of my child having non-diabetic hypoglycemia? If your child's hypoglycemia is not treated, his brain may not grow and develop as it should. Hypoglycemia that occurs over a long period of time can lead to mental retardation, seizures, or both. The medicines that are used to manage your child's hypoglycemia may cause unwanted effects. These may include slower than normal growth, pain at the injection site, vomiting, and diarrhea.

CARE AGREEMENT:

You have the right to help plan your child's care. To help with this plan, you must learn about your child's health condition and how it may be treated. You can then discuss treatment options with your child's caregivers. Work with them to decide what care may be used to treat your child.

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