Glucose tolerance during pulmonary exacerbations in children with cystic fibrosis

John Widger1, Mark R Oliver, Michele O'Connell

  • 1Department of Respiratory Medicine, The Royal Children's Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. jwidger1@yahoo.com

Plos One
|October 3, 2012
PubMed

Insights

Glucose tolerance in Cystic Fibrosis (CF) patients during pulmonary exacerbations shows minimal change compared to stable periods. Most children maintained their glucose tolerance status post-exacerbation.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric Endocrinology
  • Pulmonology
  • Metabolic Disorders

Background:

  • Cystic Fibrosis (CF) patients are prone to insulin deficiency and diabetes, particularly during stress.
  • Limited data exists on glucose tolerance during CF pulmonary exacerbations.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate glucose tolerance in children with CF during pulmonary exacerbations compared to clinical stability.

Main Methods:

  • Oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT) were conducted in 9 CF patients (age ≥10) within 48 hours of admission for exacerbation.
  • Repeat OGTTs were performed 4-6 weeks after discharge during stable clinical condition.

Main Results:

  • During exacerbation, 4 patients had normal glucose tolerance, 3 impaired, and 2 had CF-related diabetes.
  • The mean change in 2-hour glucose was 1.1 mmol.
  • 89% of patients maintained their glucose tolerance classification at follow-up.

Conclusions:

  • Glucose tolerance in the majority of pediatric CF patients shows little difference between pulmonary exacerbations and clinical stability.
  • Findings suggest that acute exacerbations may not significantly alter glucose metabolism in most CF patients.
Abstract

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