Emergency care for low blood sugar in a child who takes insulin
This information is for people who may help your child with diabetes if your child is too weak or confused to treat low blood sugar. Make a copy for each of your child's caregivers.
- Make sure the child can swallow.
- Lift the child's head so that it will be easier for him or her to swallow.
- Give the child 1/2 teaspoon of water.
- If the child chokes or coughs on the water:
- Do not try to give the child food or liquid because the child could breathe them into his or her lungs.
- Give the child a shot of glucagon if one is available. Follow the directions included with the medicine.
- After you give the glucagon shot, immediately call 911 for emergency care.
- If emergency help has not arrived within 5 minutes and the child is still unconscious, give another glucagon shot.
- Check the child's blood sugar using his or her blood sugar (glucose) meter.
- Stay with the child until emergency help comes.
- If the child can swallow the water without choking or coughing:
- Give the child a liquid (juice or soda pop) from the list of quick-sugar food.
- Check the child's blood sugar using his or her blood sugar (glucose) meter.
- Wait 10 to 15 minutes.
- Offer the child more quick-sugar food if he or she is feeling better but still has some symptoms of low blood sugar.
- Check the child's blood sugar again.
- Offer the child a snack (such as cheese and crackers or half of a sandwich) if it is more than 30 minutes before a meal.
- If the child becomes more sleepy or lethargic, call 911 or other emergency services.
- Stay with the child until his or her blood sugar level reaches 70 milligrams per deciliter (mg/dL) and stays above that for about 30 minutes or until emergency help comes.
- If the child is unconscious but not having a seizure:
- Turn the child on his or her side and make sure the airway is not blocked.
- Give the child a shot of glucagon if one is available. Follow the directions included with the medicine.
- After you give the glucagon shot, immediately call 911 for emergency care.
- If emergency help has not arrived within 5 minutes and the child is still unconscious, give another glucagon shot.
- Check the child's blood sugar level using his or her blood sugar (glucose) meter.
- If the child becomes more alert, carefully give him or her a quick-sugar food or liquid.
- Check the child's blood sugar again.
- Stay with the child until emergency help comes.
- If the child is unconscious and is having a seizure:
- Get the child in a safe position, such as lying flat on the floor. Turn the child's head to the side.
- Do not put anything in the child's mouth.
- If glucagon is available, give the child a shot of glucagon when the seizure stops.
- After you give the glucagon shot, immediately call 911 for emergency care.
- If emergency help has not arrived within 5 minutes and the child is still unconscious, give another glucagon shot.
- Stay with the child until emergency help comes.
| Author: | Caroline Rea, RN, BS, MS | Last Updated: July 28, 2008 |
| Medical Review: |
Michael J. Sexton, MD - Pediatrics
Stephen LaFranchi, MD - Pediatrics and Pediatric Endocrinology |
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