Keywords:
hypoglycemia; impaired awareness of hypoglycemia; type 1 diabetes
Abstract:
Hypoglycemia is the commonest acute complication of type 1 diabetes. It may also occur in type 2 diabetes when treatment includes insulin or sulfonylurea therapy. Hypoglycemia presents a major physiological and psychological barrier to achieving optimal glycemic control and may result in significant emotional morbidity for patients and their caregivers. Monitoring hypoglycemia is a key component of diabetes care as is education about its causes, prevention, and treatment. Parents and caregivers need to be reassured that good glycemic control can be achieved without severe hypoglycemic events.