Version July 2025
Please read the Disclaimer at the end of this page.
What are discharge instructions? —
Discharge instructions are information about how to take care of your child after getting medical care in the emergency department ("ED").
What should I know? —
During your child's visit to the ED, the doctor found their blood sugar level was low. This is called "hypoglycemia."
Many things can cause low blood sugar in children. Some are serious things, like hormone problems a child is born with or certain illnesses. Less serious things, like not eating enough or certain medicines, can also cause low blood sugar.
If your child has diabetes and takes medicines to lower their blood sugar, other things can cause very low blood sugar. They might have not eaten enough food, waited too long to eat, or exercised too much without a snack. Their blood sugar might be low because their diabetes medicine was changed or they took too much.
The doctors think your child's low blood sugar is not an immediate danger. You can manage it at home. But it is important to follow up with their regular doctor.
You might be waiting on your child's test results. The staff will notify you if there are concerning results.
How do I care for my child at home? —
Ask the doctor or nurse what you should do when you go home. Make sure you understand exactly what you need to do to care for your child. Ask questions if there is anything you do not understand.
You should also do the following:
●Call your child's regular doctor and tell them your child was in the ED. Make a follow-up appointment.
●Help your child take all their medicines as instructed.
●If your child takes medicine for diabetes, always carry a quick source of sugar with you. Make sure any other caregivers also carry one. Examples include:
•2 or 3 glucose tablets
•1 tube of glucose gel
•1/2 cup (4 ounces) of juice or regular (not diet) soda
•1 tablespoon of honey
•1 tablespoon of sugar
•10 candies, such as Skittles
●If your child has diabetes, make sure you know how and when to check their blood sugar at home.
●Know the symptoms of low blood sugar, so you can treat it quickly if it happens again. Symptoms include sweating or shaking, feeling hungry, and feeling anxious. If your child does not eat or drink a quick source of sugar to treat their low blood sugar, more severe symptoms can happen. These include weakness, trouble walking or seeing, feeling very confused, passing out, or seizures.
●Give your child a small snack before they go to bed at night, exercise, or play.
●Try not to let your child skip meals. It might help if they eat smaller meals more often.
When should I get emergency help?
●Call for emergency help right away (in the US and Canada, call 9-1-1) if your child:
•Has a seizure
•Passes out
•Feels very lightheaded, weak, or like they are going to pass out, even after having a quick source of sugar
•Is shaking or sweating, or feels like their heart is beating very fast
●Return to the ED if your child has:
•Trouble thinking clearly
•Symptoms that improve after having a quick source of sugar, but then come back
•Has blurry vision or trouble seeing
When should I call the doctor? —
Call for advice if your child:
●Has symptoms of low blood sugar more frequently
●Refuses to eat, or eats only a little
●Loses weight
●Has new or worsening symptoms
Patient education: Low blood sugar in children with diabetes (The Basics)
Patient education: Low blood sugar in people without diabetes (The Basics)
Patient education: Checking your child's blood sugar level (The Basics)
Patient education: Type 1 diabetes in children (The Basics)
Patient education: Managing blood sugar in children with diabetes (The Basics)
Patient education: Hypoglycemia (low blood glucose) in people with diabetes (Beyond the Basics)
