In a hypoglycaemic 8-year-old diabetic with a glucose level of 2.2 mmol/L, when is oral glucose considered safe?

In pediatric patients, the administration of oral glucose is considered safe when the patient is fully conscious and able to protect their airway. A Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) score of 15 indicates that the child is fully alert, responsive, and capable of swallowing without significant risk of aspiration. This level of consciousness ensures that the child can safely consume oral glucose to raise their blood sugar levels without complications.

Lower GCS scores suggest varying levels of impaired consciousness, which increase the risk of the patient not being able to protect their airway during oral intake. For example, at a GCS of 12 or lower, there may be concerns about the child's ability to swallow safely, and administering oral glucose could lead to choking or aspiration. Therefore, the highest level of consciousness reflected by a GCS of 15 is required before it's deemed safe to provide oral glucose for a hypoglycaemic episode in an 8-year-old diabetic.