When To Call a Doctor

Call or other emergency services right away if your child is:

• Unconscious or suddenly becomes very sleepy or confused. Your child may have low blood sugar, called hypoglycemia.
  • Emergency Care for a Child With Low Blood Sugar
• Sleepy, confused, breathing very fast, or his or her breath smells fruity. Your child may have a life-threatening condition called diabetic ketoacidosis.

Call a doctor right away if:

• Your child has blood sugar of 240 mg/dL or higher (or it is higher than the level your doctor has set for your child).

Call a doctor if your child:

• Is sick and having trouble controlling his or her blood sugar.
• Has had vomiting or diarrhea for more than 6 hours.
  • Sick Day Guidelines
• Often has problems with high or low blood sugar levels.
• Has trouble knowing when his or her blood sugar is low (hypoglycemia unawareness).
• You have questions or want to know more about diabetes.

Who To See

Health professionals who may care for a child with type 1 diabetes include:

• A pediatrician, a family medicine doctor, or a general practitioner.
• A nurse practitioner or a physician assistant.
• A pediatric endocrinologist.
• A certified diabetes educator (CDE).
• A registered dietitian, to help develop a daily meal plan for your child and your family.
• A psychologist, to help with emotional or family issues that might affect your child's treatment.

To prepare for your appointment, see the topic Making the Most of Your Appointment.