Is a fasting sugar level of 88 mg/dl concerning in a 10-year-old?

Question

Hello doctor,

I recently got my 10-year-old daughter's blood test results back. Her weight is 50 lbs. Her fasting sugar level was 88 mg/dl, and her HbA1c was 5.6 percent. I am a bit concerned about these numbers and wondering if they indicate borderline diabetes. Are the ranges different for adults and kids? Her BUN is 5 mg/dl. Could you please help me understand what these results mean for her health and if we need to take any further steps or precautions?

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I can understand your concern.

A fasting blood sugar level of 88 mg/dl is considered normal for children. The typical range for fasting glucose in children is 70-100 mg/dl. An HbA1c (glycated hemoglobin) level of 5.6 percent is slightly higher but still generally considered within the normal range for children.

A BUN (blood urea nitrogen) level of 5 mg/dl is on the lower side of the normal range. The typical BUN range for children is approximately 5 to 18 mg/dl. Low BUN levels are generally not a concern unless they are associated with liver disease or malnutrition.

Since the results are mostly within normal limits, they may not indicate immediate concerns regarding diabetes. However, it is good to maintain a healthy diet and regular physical activity for your daughter to manage all aspects of her health effectively. Also, I would suggest repeating an HbA1C test after three months to check the trend. If there is an increasing trend in HbA1c, it is best to get the child evaluated physically by a pediatric endocrinologist for the same.

I hope this helps.

Thank you.