Sugar in the urine of children

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What is it about ?

Normally, the kidneys do not pass sugar (glucose) in the urine. There is therefore no glucose in the urine and the level of sugar in the blood (glycemia) is normal.

In certain conditions or in particular situations, it is possible to see sugar in the urine.

  • Diabetes: About 6% of children with sugar in the urine later develop a type 1 diabetes ;
  • Infection, trauma, burns, operation, drop in body temperature (hypothermia), lack of oxygen;
  • Kidney problems;
  • Dehydration due to diarrhea ;
  • Side effects of drugs like certain antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, etc.

How to recognize it?

A urine test strip (test strip) is soaked in urine and becomes colored if there is sugar in that urine. The intensity of the color gives an indication of how much sugar is present. The doctor can easily perform this test during the consultation. If the result is uncertain, he will send the urine sample to the laboratory.

How is the diagnosis made?

The doctor will do further tests. Sugar in the urine can indeed be the first sign of the onset of diabetes in a child.

If sugar is found in the urine, the blood sugar level should ideally be determined immediately. This can be done during the consultation by pricking the fingertip or with an ordinary blood test.

The results of a blood test on an empty stomach and / or not on an empty stomach will show whether there is a high chance that your child has diabetes. If not, the urine is checked the next morning.

In the blood, we also determine

  • Hemoglobin A1 levelVS (HbA1c) also called glycosylated or glycated hemoglobin (sugar-bound hemoglobin);
  • Antibodies directed against the cells of the pancreas.

HbA1 is a protein capable of binding sugar. In diabetes, the amount of glycosylated HbA1 increases.
The pancreas produces insulin, a hormone that we need for sugar metabolism. In type 1 diabetes, the body makes antibodies against the pancreas, which can be found in the blood.

If the results are normal, no further tests are necessary. However, additional examinations will be scheduled in the following cases:

  • Sugar repeatedly in the urine;
  • Disturbance of blood values;
  • A relative who has type 1 diabetes.

These examinations will be carried out in the pediatric department. Parents should watch closely if their child develops signs of diabetes: he is losing weight, drinks or urinates abnormally a lot. Some children may also have atypical symptoms, such as stomach pain, vomiting, and fatigue.

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