How To Check For Diabetes In Children?

Posted on Fri, 22 Aug 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Fri, 22 Aug 2014 Answered on

Tue, 9 Sep 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : Dear Doctor,

Greetings

My daughter is 3 years old , last year she have had a fever and when I checked her blood sugar level was 190 mg/dL in the night time next day in the morning time it was 130 mg/dL after one day we visited the doctor he found the blood sugar 100 mg/dL and the doctore advised me to check her blood suger from time to time becuase she is in risk to have a diabetic and then for almost one year I am checking her blood sugar randomly and usually it is in the range of 100 but last yesterday when I checked her again it was 135mg/dL . is my daughter has diabetic or it is normal for the kids please advise.

Regards

XXXX

Answered by Dr. Binu Parameswaran Pillai (53 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Hello

Detailed Answer:
Hello,
Good day.
Noted your concern.
Could you please mention if the blood sugar reading was done using a glucometer or a lab test ?
Any other symptoms like weight loss or frequent urination etc?
How is her weight now? Any family history of early onset diabetes below 30 years?
How is her development ?

Regards
Binu

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Binu Parameswaran Pillai (35 minutes later)

Dear Doctor, tks a lot for your reply. The reading was by glucometer not in lab. No weight lossing and she is 15 kg now. There is frequent urination and no body in our family has diabaitec blew 30 years only her father got diabetic when he was 39 . Regarding devolpment same day after that reading I checked her after food 3 hours and was 87. I got the chance to get her reading during her sleeping and after two hours from drinking( PediaSure Powder 200 ML ) and the reading was 102 mg/dL . for your information and guidance,Thanks and best regards XXXX

Answered by Dr. Binu Parameswaran Pillai (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Not to worry

Detailed Answer:
Dear Mr XXXXXXX
Thank you. First of all, glucometer is not a good tool for diagnosis of diabetes. But it is a very good tool for monitoring the blood glucose at home for a person with diabetes. ( not for diagnosis).

Again, you have to wash the fingers with soap and water always before checking sugar by glucometer. Otherwise it may show high values ( eg: soon after peeling and eating an orange or a fruit etc).

Looking at your little girl's profile, i personally think she doesnt have diabetes. However, you may do an HbA1c, and Fasting blood glucose in a good lab. Please let me know the values.

Regards
Binu

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Binu Parameswaran Pillai (17 minutes later)

Dear Doctor XXXXXXX

Thanks a million for your perfect answer , I am really appreciated .
Best regards

Answered by Dr. Binu Parameswaran Pillai (54 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Hello

Detailed Answer:
My pleasure. Please let me know the results of her blood test.
Regards.
Binu

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Binu Parameswaran Pillai (30 hours later)

Dear Dr. XXXXXXX
I hope you are fine.
Thanks a lot for your interest.

I went with my daughter to the Lab. today but unfortunately she did not allow us to check her blood sugar using the injection as you know it is very difficult for kids.

but her blood sugar test after 8 hours fasting using glucometer was 83 mg/dL . waiting for your advice. and many thanks in advance.
Best regards
XXXX

Answered by Dr. Binu Parameswaran Pillai (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Hi

Detailed Answer:
Good day,
No worries. Leave her alone. Looking at her fasting sugar, i do not think she has diabetes. Whe she is getting a blood test done next time, please remember to include the HbA1c test as well.
Regards
Binu

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Binu Parameswaran Pillai (7 hours later)

Dear Dr. XXXXXXX

Thanks a lot for your overqualified consultancy we are really very appreciated .
all the best.

with my best regards
XXXX

Answered by Dr. Binu Parameswaran Pillai (47 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Hello

Detailed Answer:
Thank you for the reply. please let me know once you have the HbA1c results.

If the HbA1c value is more than 6.5%, ten we have to suspect diabetes.

I hope i have answered your question. I am happy to answer more. Otherwise, you may please close the question.

I wish your daughter good health

Regards
Binu

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar