Effect of intravenous quinine on capillary glucose levels in malaria

Hypoglycemia occurring during management in patients of severe malaria is often overlooked, which can be associated with higher morbidity and mortality rates.

Capillary glucose was estimated in 32 patients of malaria before, at one hour and at six hours of quinine administration. Quinine was given in saline solution intravenously.

Pretreatment capillary glucose was found to be lower (71-80 mg/dl) in 12.5% cases. After one hour of intravenous quinine administration, capillary glucose levels fell by 11.84% in all the cases. A further fall of 20.50% was observed in 75% of cases after six hour. Two patients died and both were suffering from cerebral malaria. Statistically, fall in capillary glucose was highly significant at one hour (t=9.4, p < 0.001) and at six hours. (t=3.87, p < 0.001)

Statistically significant fall in capillary glucose levels has been observed in patients of malaria with quinine administration.