Adults and children use the same physical processes to maintain blood sugar levels. Because children are more sensitive to the effects of high and low levels, blood sugars in children should be carefully monitored.
The Facts
In children, just like in adults, the level of sugars in the blood-- glucose -- is regulated by the hormone insulin, which is produced by the pancreas. Insulin moves glucose from the blood into the cells of the body, fueling muscles and the body's systems. Usually this process is automatic and balanced. In some children, however, the process is disrupted, leading to blood sugar levels that are too high or too low. Either extreme can indicate or cause health and behavioral problems.
Diabetes
If a child's blood sugars increase to a dangerously high level, that child may have diabetes. Most children with diabetes have Type 1 diabetes, an autoimmune disease in which the pancreas produces very little or no insulin. Children with diabetes must monitor their blood sugar levels closely, follow a balanced diet and take insulin to keep their blood glucose at a normal level. If their blood sugars rise too high, they risk blurred vision, fainting, coma and death.
Hypoglycemia
If a child's blood sugar levels drop too low, the body will be unable to properly fuel itself. This state is called hypoglycemia. It can occur in children with diabetes if too much medication is administered or if a meal is missed. If a child does not have diabetes, then blood sugars may fall because of starvation, a reaction to medication or a metabolic disorder like hyperinsulinism.
Behavior
Some studies have linked increased blood sugars to behavioral problems in children. While no definitive link between sugar and hyperactivity has been found, increased sugar levels may cause episodes of excitability, anxiety and poor concentration. The high level of sugar in the blood causes the body to release more insulin. The body can overcompensate, though, releasing too much insulin, and causing blood sugars to drop too low. The body then releases adrenaline to return blood sugar levels to normal. This can lead to children's poor behavior, as the hormone adrenaline excites them.
Considerations
Children and adults do not handle abrupt changes in blood sugars the same way. Children are more sensitive to the effects of both high and low blood glucose levels. After experiencing high blood sugar levels, children's levels drop much lower than that of adults. Children are more affected by the adrenaline rush that follows low blood sugars, as well.
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