Topic
Hypoglycemia & Hyperglycemia
Spotting low and high blood sugar in a baby who can't tell you how they feel.
Spotting a Low in a Baby
A baby cannot say they feel low, so the signs are jitteriness, poor feeding, unusual sleepiness, a weak or high-pitched cry, pallor and irritability.
Treating a Low in an Infant
Treating a low in a baby usually means a feed rather than sugar, and you need the amounts written down by your team before you ever need them.
Severe Lows and Emergencies
A baby who is unresponsive or having a seizure needs emergency help immediately, and nothing should be put into their mouth while that happens.
Recognising and Managing Highs
Sustained high readings in a baby show up as heavy nappies, thirst, poor weight gain and tiredness, and usually have an identifiable cause.
Ketones and Sick Days
Illness escalates fast in a baby with diabetes, so sick-day rules matter more at this age than at any other — and insulin is never stopped.