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Warning-sign checks

Giving insulin shots to a child: when to get help

Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.

  1. 1

    Is any of this happening now?

    Call 911

    These are generally routine or same-day concerns rather than emergencies.

    Use glucagon as trained and call emergency services if your child with suspected low glucose has a seizure, becomes unconscious, cannot safely swallow, or does not recover as expected.

    Call emergency services for trouble breathing, swelling of the face or throat, or a widespread allergic reaction.

    Other emergency signs, for anyone
    • Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
    • Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
    • Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
    • Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
    • Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
    • Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
    • Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
    • Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
  2. 2

    Is any of this happening?

    Be seen today

    Contact the diabetes team promptly for repeated high or low readings, frequent painful injections, new skin lumps, insulin leaking often, uncertainty about a dose, or difficulty giving injections.

    Seek urgent advice if your child is vomiting, has moderate or high ketones, cannot keep fluids down, or has glucose that remains high despite the prescribed correction plan.

    Get urgent help after a major insulin dosing error or suspected overdose, even if your child initially seems well.

The article also says

Follow the child’s sick-day and ketone plan.

Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Giving insulin shots to a child. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.