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Updated: Jul 15, 2026
12:08
Improving IV Insulin Administration in a Community Hospital
Published on: June 11, 2012
[Hyperglycemia and mortality in critically ill children].
1Borsod-Abaúj-Zemplén Megyei Kórház és Egyetemi Oktató Kórház, Gyermekegészségügyi Továbbképzo Intézet, IV. Gyermekosztály, Gyermek-Aneszteziológiai és Intenzív Osztály, Miskolc. mikos.gyekint@bazmkorhaz.hu
Orvosi Hetilap
|April 10, 2007
Summary
In critically ill children, sustained hyperglycemia and higher blood glucose levels correlate with increased mortality. Sepsis is a significant factor in these metabolic disturbances.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric critical care medicine
- Endocrinology
- Metabolic disorders
Context:
- Stress-induced hyperglycemia is common in non-diabetic individuals with critical illness.
- While adult studies link glycemic control to survival, pediatric data is limited.
- Previous pediatric studies suggest a correlation between hyperglycemia and mortality.
Purpose:
- To retrospectively investigate the relationship between blood glucose levels and pathological processes in a pediatric intensive care unit.
- To determine if hyperglycemia predicts mortality in critically ill children.
- To identify factors contributing to hyperglycemia in this population.
Summary:
- Highest blood glucose values were linked to fatal outcomes (mean 14.38 mmol/l) and sepsis (mean 13.97 mmol/l), irrespective of diagnosis or outcome.
- Patients with fatal outcomes had sustained hyperglycemia (mean 7.59 mmol/l) throughout treatment and on the last day (mean 7.00 mmol/l).
- Survivors had significantly lower blood glucose levels (mean 6.52 mmol/l) over the treatment duration and on the last day (mean 5.28 mmol/l) compared to non-survivors.
Impact:
- Findings suggest that critical illness in children, like in adults, induces sustained hyperglycemia.
- Higher peak values and longer durations of elevated blood glucose are associated with increased mortality rates.
- Sepsis is identified as a potent inducer of carbohydrate metabolism abnormalities in critically ill children.
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