Low blood sugar treatment dangerous

One of the drugs commonly used for the treatment of diabetic patients whose blood sugar has dipped very low can be fatal, a study published in the New England Journal of Medicine points out. The study published in the recent issue of the journal warns that the sodium bicarbonate injection given to children with diabetic ketoacidosis (extremely low blood sugar concentration in a diabetic due to excess breakdown of sugars), might cause swelling of the brain in 1 percent of children suffering from ketoacidosis. This oedema is fatal in 9 out of 10 children who develop it. As is common at the moment, doctors give a shot of sodium bicarbonate, essentially baking soda, in emergency situations to neutralise the rise in the acid content during ketoacidosis. Sodium bicarbonate is an alkali that helps to counter the effects of increased acid which produces symptoms such as fatigue, nausea, difficulty in breathing and confusion. However, the authors cautioned that this should not be used in children unless there is no other alternative left. The researchers warned that though it can be used in adult patients without the fear of oedema, since it does not seem to occur in adults, it should be used with utmost caution in children. They also observed that children whose blood contains less carbon-dioxide and increased amounts of nitrogen, are more prone to swelling than others. In these children, careful monitoring may help to recognise the symptoms of acidosis and treat accordingly. The study also revealed that in almost a quarter of cases, diabetes in children is detected only when the symptoms of ketoacidosis are manifested. This indicates that there is an increased need to be vigilant in case of diseases that fall in the category of "silent killers".