If a hypo is untreated there is a risk that your child will become unconscious or have a fit. While this is not common, it’s important that you know what to do so that you can be prepared:
- Never give them food or drink by mouth because this will cause them to choke.
- If possible, place them in the recovery position (on their side with their head tilted back).
- If you have been given a glucogen injection and shown how to use it, inject it as you have been instructed. If not, or your child has not recovered within 10 minutes of giving the glucogen injection, phone an ambulance. Diabetes UK recommends that all parents of children with diabetes should have glucagen and be trained how to use it, so if you don’t, speak to your paediatric diabetes team.
- Always tell your paediatric diabetes team if they have a severe hypo as their treatment may need to be altered.
- Be reassured – in most cases even if you didn’t treat the hypo, your child’s body will increase blood glucose levels naturally by releasing the glucose it has stored in the liver. This means they will eventually come round by themselves.