Relationship between hypoglycemic symptoms and blood glucose levels due to self-monitoring in summer camp for diabetic children in Japan.

In a summer camp for 47 diabetic children in Kinki district, Japan, in 1984, the relationship between hypoglycemic symptoms and blood glucose levels by self-monitoring was analyzed. During the 7-day camp, self-monitoring of blood glucose (SMBG) was carried out 599 times in total, 12.7 times per camper. SMBG due to hypoglycemic complaints amounted to 371. 154 measurements out of 371 indicated blood glucose levels under 80 mg/dl, but 78 monitorings were found to be over 200 mg/dl. Fatigue or weakness were the most frequent hypoglycemic symptoms, as was hunger sensation, each reaching approximately 40% in frequency. In most complaints of tremor, the blood glucose level was critically low. Prompt measurement of blood glucose is indeed necessary to properly treat diabetic children with 'hypoglycemic' symptoms.