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Published on: June 11, 2012

Hyper- and hypoglycemia in children with community-acquired pneumonia

Massimiliano Don1, Giuliana Valerio, Matti Korppi

  • 1Pediatric Department, School of Medicine, DPMSC, University ofUdine, Italy. max.don@libero.it

Journal of Pediatric Endocrinology & Metabolism : JPEM
|September 11, 2008
PubMed

Insights

Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in children rarely causes hyperglycemia but can lead to hypoglycemia. Stress from CAP may affect glucose metabolism, with body temperature being a significant factor.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatrics
  • Endocrinology
  • Infectious Diseases

Background:

  • Biological stress in clinical conditions can be linked to hyperglycemia.
  • Community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) is a common childhood infection that induces biological stress.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the association between stress from CAP and glucose metabolism disturbances in pediatric patients.
  • To determine if CAP etiology or severity correlates with plasma glucose levels.

Main Methods:

  • Plasma glucose levels were measured in 108 children diagnosed with CAP.
  • Multiple linear regression analysis was used to examine relationships between plasma glucose and clinical/laboratory CAP characteristics.
  • Etiology of CAP was identified using serological methods.

Main Results:

  • The mean plasma glucose level was 100.3 +/- 21.2 mg/dl.
  • Hyperglycemia (167 mg/dl) was observed in only one patient (approx. 1%).
  • Hypoglycemia (< 60 mg/dl) was present in 3.7% of patients, significantly associated with body temperature but not CAP severity or etiology.

Conclusions:

  • Hyperglycemia is rare in pediatric CAP.
  • Hypoglycemia in CAP patients may result from reduced caloric intake or stress-induced cytokines.
  • Body temperature is a significant factor associated with plasma glucose levels during CAP in children.

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