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Hyperglycemia and outcomes from pediatric traumatic brain injury

Amalia Cochran1, Eric R Scaife, Kristine W Hansen

  • 1Department of Surgery, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, USA.

The Journal of Trauma
|December 17, 2003
PubMed

Insights

Hyperglycemia, or high blood sugar, is linked to worse outcomes in children with traumatic brain injuries. Elevated glucose levels at admission predict mortality in pediatric head trauma patients.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric critical care
  • Neurotrauma research
  • Metabolic response to injury

Background:

  • The clinical significance of hyperglycemia following pediatric traumatic brain injury (TBI) remains debated.
  • This study investigates the association between hyperglycemia and patient outcomes in pediatric TBI.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the relationship between admission hyperglycemia and outcomes in pediatric patients with traumatic brain injury.
  • To identify predictors of mortality in pediatric TBI.

Main Methods:

  • Retrospective analysis of pediatric trauma patients admitted to a regional referral center.
  • Inclusion criteria: head Abbreviated Injury Scale score ≥ 3.
  • Primary outcome measure: Glasgow Outcome Scale score.

Main Results:

  • Patients who died had significantly higher admission serum glucose levels (267 mg/dL) compared to survivors (135 mg/dL).
  • Admission serum glucose ≥ 300 mg/dL was uniformly associated with death.
  • Glasgow Coma Scale score and serum glucose were independent predictors of mortality.

Conclusions:

  • Hyperglycemia is associated with poor neurologic outcomes in pediatric head-injured patients.
  • The underlying mechanisms of hyperglycemia in pediatric TBI require further investigation.
Abstract

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