Final answer:
Younger children with diabetes maintain slightly higher blood glucose levels due to their greater need for glucose, the importance of avoiding hypoglycemia, and their higher activity levels.
Step-by-step explanation:
Younger children with diabetes maintain slightly higher blood glucose levels compared to older children for several reasons:
- Children have a greater need for available glucose in the blood system: Younger children have high energy requirements due to growth and development, which necessitates maintaining higher levels of glucose in the blood.
- Lowering the risk of hypoglycemia: Maintaining higher blood glucose levels in younger children is crucial to avoid the risk of hypoglycemia, which can lead to neurological system damage.
- Youthful activity levels: Younger children tend to be more active, requiring a higher supply of glucose to meet the energy demands of their activity levels.