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DIABETES IN CHILDREN: INSULIN HYPOGLYCEMIC REACTIONS

What is an insulin hypoglycemic reaction?

The term ‘insulin hypoglycemic reaction’ means the reaction of the body to an abnormally low level of glucose in the blood, due to the over effect of insulin. Abbreviations sometimes used are ‘hypo’ or ‘reaction’ or ‘insulin shock’. Literally, ‘hypo’ means below, or low, and glycaemic means sugar in the blood.

Because this may be experienced occasionally by any child with diabetes, you should know about the reasons for it developing, the signs of such a reaction, and its proper treatment.

The cause of a hypo reaction

What causes a hypo reaction?

If there is more insulin circulating in the body than is required at the time, the quantity of glucose in the blood will fall. This may occur if the insulin administered was greater than the needed dose or if less food than normal has been eaten, so that there is less glucose in the blood for the insulin to act on. A digestive upset may lead to the food not being absorbed fully. Or perhaps the child has had some unusual activity – a game of football for example – and used up more glucose than usual as extra energy expenditure.

There are also other things which can alter the body’s need for insulin, such as the state of general health, the presence of infections, rapid growth, emotional upsets and worry. Factors such as these may change and at times lead to a changing need for insulin. Thus there are many possible reasons why a child with diabetes may have an insulin reaction.

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