Normal Glucose Levels In Children
Glucose in children is an issue that requires special attention. As many of you know, all of us use glucose as a source of energy. For this reason, we eat different forms of sugar that the body breaks down into glucose, which passes into the blood to be used by cells.
In both adults and children, there are glucose levels considered normal to ensure that everything goes as it should. What should we know to know about it? In this space we detail it.
What is blood glucose?
Blood glucose is the measure of glucose levels in the blood. As we have mentioned, we eat sugars with food in different more complex forms, such as, for example, fructose or sucrose.
With digestion, we convert these complex sugars into simpler substances, like glucose. Thus, glucose passes into the blood, where it circulates continuously until the cells absorb it to use it as an energy source.
The function of glucose is to serve as energy to the body. When cells absorb this substance from the blood, they convert it, through a metabolic process known as the Krebs cycle , into ATP, a molecule that they will use in the rest of the physiological processes they carry out.
Therefore, glucose is an essential substance for the entire human body to function. When there is excess glucose in the blood, it can be stored as glycogen in the liver. These reserves are activated when the body needs an extra supply of glucose, for example, during exercise.
What is the importance of glucose values?
Being such an important substance for the functions of the human body, it is vital that it is kept within a normal range of values. They will ensure that the body has the glucose it needs to carry out all its functions.
In children, this is even more important. With growth, they consume more energy than adults. Adequate glucose levels are necessary for the child to develop correctly , both physically and mentally.
Glucose levels vary in everyone throughout the day and under different circumstances. For example, with exercise, stress or depending on the type of food eaten.
What are normal glucose levels in children?
We usually measure glucose from a blood sample. This measurement can be taken at different times of the day, for which there will be different reference values.
The normal thing is that glucose is measured fasting, that is, after at least 8 hours without eating any food. This is known as basal blood glucose, and it is the one that will give us the most information about glucose management in a person.
The values considered normal in children are usually lower than those we take as normal in adults. Thus, at the different times when blood glucose can be measured, normal measurements in children are:
- Basal blood glucose (fasting): 70-110 g / dL
- Prandial blood glucose (immediately after meal): less than 130 g / dL
- Blood glucose 2 hours after ingestion: less than 100 g / dL
Low glucose values in children
Low blood glucose levels, known as hypoglycemia, may be due to low sugar intake or even malnutrition in the child. If you constantly have low glucose values, this can affect your proper development. In addition, it can cause dizziness and fainting at times when the body needs more glucose.
High glucose values
At specific times, glucose may be high, for example, due to previous intake of food with many sugars. High glucose values are known as hyperglycemia. If it is a recurring problem, it may indicate that the child’s lifestyle is not appropriate.
That is, you may be living in a sedentary lifestyle or your diet is based on foods with too many sugars. Similarly, high glucose in children can indicate that the child is suffering from type I diabetes or diabetes mellitus. To confirm this, a complete examination by the specialist will be necessary.
Normal glucose levels in children: what should be clear?
Maintaining adequate glucose levels is essential for the child to develop correctly. Your doctor will carry out the glucose tests that he thinks are appropriate for the age and condition of each child.
Even so, before any sign that makes us suspect that the child’s glucose is not as it should be, we must go to the specialist, who will decide how to act.
