Blood Glucose Goals for Youth with Diabetes

Maintaining good blood glucose control is especially important in children with type 1diabetes. This is because they may not be aware of the symptoms of low blood glucose, or hypoglycemia. Children younger than 5 years old are at risk for permanent cognitive damage if they have a severe episode. Another important factor to take into account is the fact that the child is growing.

Blood glucose and hemoglobin A1c goals for children with type 1 diabetes

Blood glucose goals are personalized for each child or teen based on a benefit-risk assessment. A child with frequent hypoglycemia will have a higher goal. 

 
Blood glucose goal range (mg/dL)
Before meals
Blood glucose goal range (mg/dL)
Bedtime/night time
Hemoglobin A1c (%)
Toddlers less than 6 years
100-180
110-200
7.7-8.5
Aged 6-12 years
90-180
100-180
<8.0
Aged 13-19 years
90-130
90-150
<7.5