Blood sugar levels in children vary only slightly when compared to those in adults. So, what is a normal level for a child? Here are the details regarding the same, and what high or low blood sugar levels indicate.
Blood sugar levels are the levels of glucose present in the blood. The body requires energy at all times of the day. This energy comes in the form of glucose that is present and circulating in the blood.
This glucose is directly taken up through the blood, and used by the cell for its various activities. However, there are certain levels at which the glucose needs to be maintained. The normal levels in children and adults vary only slightly.
Normal Range
The normal blood sugar range for children is slightly lower than that seen in adults. Most doctors advise you to check your child's blood sugar levels before meals. This is because the measurement before a meal is far more accurate as compared to the ones after a meal.
The reason for this is, the amount of blood glucose and insulin secreted will depend on the type of meal consumed and so, depending on whether it was a very high fat meal or a high fiber meal, the results may vary. Given here are details regarding the same.
Normal Range Chart
Time of Test
Blood sugar (gm/dl)
Fasting levels
70 - 110
Immediately post prandial
< 130
Two hours after a meal
< 100
Age of Child
Blood sugar (gm/dl)
Infant/toddlers
110
School children
70 - 100
Young adults
70 - 120
High Blood Sugar Levels
There are certain conditions wherein the blood sugar of a child may be very high. Sometimes, this may be a case of hyperglycemia, due to a high calorie last meal. So, you need to go in for multiple tests, wherein the results must state that the blood test results are consistently high, for the case to be diagnosed as a hyperglycemic.
There are many causes for this condition. Preventable causes include a sedentary lifestyle, high calorie food intake, etc.
However, there are certain conditions wherein lifestyle alone may not be a factor for high blood glucose levels.
In some cases, the child may be suffering from what is known as type 1 diabetes, which is an autoimmune condition leading to destruction of the cells in the pancreas that produce insulin. This condition is also known as juvenile diabetes. For this condition, the child needs to take insulin injections to meet the body's demand for this hormone.
Low Blood Sugar Ranges
When there is decreased blood glucose, then it leads to low blood sugar symptoms in children. This is a condition which may be caused due to malnourishment, or it may even be due to the child going into an insulin shock. When a person is suffering from diabetes, he tends to take insulin injections at regular intervals.
However, if he overdoses it, at any given point of time, then it may lead to very low sugar levels or hypoglycemia. The treatment for this condition is to always ensure that the person does not overdose on his insulin shots, and that he eats frequent small meals.
The body of a child is very adaptable and so, even if there are slight fluctuations and deviations from the normal blood sugar levels in children, their body manages to compensate for it. However, if symptoms of abnormal levels start showing, then it is best to visit the doctor, and get the condition diagnosed and treated at the earliest.