Hyperglycaemia in Ill Children: A Study of 13 Cases

Abstract

Summary Background: Hyperglycaemia which is reported to be highly prevalent in critically ill children: in many parts of the world, has hitherto received little attention in relation to Nigerian children. Objectives: To describe the features in children who had hyperglycaemia on admission to the . Obafemi Awolowo University Teaching Hospital (OAUTH), Ile Ife. Method: Three hundred and ninety-two consecutive admissions to the Department of d. Paediatrics, OAUTH, were studied. Two milliliters of blood was obtained from each patient at . .. admission for plasma glucose determination using a bed-side glucometer and photometric analysis using glucose oxidase methods in the laboratory. Theywere all managed according to i standard protocols.. Results: Thirteen (3.3 percent) of the patients, comprising seven males and six females (M:F. - 1:1) had hyperglycaemia (plasma glucose > 7.8mmol/1). Their ages ranged from three months to 13 years with a'mean of 5.34 + 4.38 years. The mean plasma glucose levels in the 13 patients were 10.88 $ 3.33mmol/l and 11.32 $ 2.52mmol/l by the laboratory and bedside glucometer "methods, respectively. Two (15.4 percent) of the 13 hyperglycaemic patients, died. Conclusion: It would appear that hyperglycaemia is not uncommon among emergency paediatric admissions and should be another reason for routine blood glucose determinations. We recommend that glucose bolus should be given to ill children only after excluding the presence of hyperglycaemia."