Management of Hypoglycemia in Children and Adolescents with Type 1 Diabetes Mellitus

Hypoglycemia and fear of hypoglycemia limit appropriate glycemic control in many children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes. Traditional approaches to the prevention of hypoglycemia including patient education about modifiable risk factors for hypoglycemia (changes in insulin, diet, and exercise) and frequency of self glucose monitoring remain important for hypoglycemia prevention. Continuous glucose monitoring systems with or without a partial closed-loop control of insulin infusion have been very useful in the prevention of hypoglycemia. Oral carbohydrate and parenteral glucagon continue to be the mainstays of hypoglycemia treatment. In the future, we can look forward to regulatory approval of closed-loop insulin delivery and glucose monitoring systems to facilitate euglycemia, as well as glucagon administered by the intranasal route to treat hypoglycemia.