Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 2, 2026

Improving IV Insulin Administration in a Community Hospital
12:08

Improving IV Insulin Administration in a Community Hospital

Published on: June 11, 2012

19.7K

Hyperglycemia in critically ill children

Vinayak Krishnarao Patki1, Swati Balasaheb Chougule2

  • 1Department of Pediatrics, Wanless Hospital Miraj, India.

Indian Journal of Critical Care Medicine : Peer-Reviewed, Official Publication of Indian Society of Critical Care Medicine
|February 20, 2014
PubMed

Insights

High blood sugar (hyperglycemia) is common in critically ill children and significantly increases their risk of death and complications. This study highlights the critical link between hyperglycemia and poor outcomes in pediatric intensive care.

Area of Science:

  • Pediatric critical care medicine
  • Endocrinology
  • Clinical research

Background:

  • Hyperglycemia is a common metabolic derangement in critically ill patients.
  • The impact of hyperglycemia on outcomes in critically ill children requires further investigation.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the incidence of hyperglycemia in critically ill children.
  • To investigate the association between hyperglycemia and clinical outcomes, including morbidity and mortality.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective observational study in a pediatric intensive care unit (PICU).
  • 101 non-diabetic children (1 month-16 years) monitored for blood glucose levels.
  • Hyperglycemia defined as blood glucose >126 mg/dl; outcomes compared between hyperglycemic and non-hyperglycemic groups.

Main Results:

  • Hyperglycemia incidence was high at 69.3% in critically ill children.
  • Hyperglycemic children showed significantly higher rates of mechanical ventilation, inotropic support, longer PICU stays, and mortality (28.6% vs. 3.2%).
  • Peak blood glucose and duration of hyperglycemia were independently associated with increased mortality risk.

Conclusions:

  • Hyperglycemia is prevalent in critically ill children.
  • Hyperglycemia is significantly associated with increased morbidity and mortality in this population.
Abstract

Keywords:
Critically ill childrenhyperglycemiapediatric intensive care unit

More Related Videos

Author Spotlight: Investigating the Blood Glucose Homeostasis in Murine Brain Using a Cost-Effective Hyperglycemic And Hypoglycemic Clamp Technique07:35

Author Spotlight: Investigating the Blood Glucose Homeostasis in Murine Brain Using a Cost-Effective Hyperglycemic And Hypoglycemic Clamp Technique

Published on: January 26, 2024

2.1K
A Mouse Model of Hemorrhagic Transformation Induced by Acute Hyperglycemia Combined with Transient Focal Ischemia09:35

A Mouse Model of Hemorrhagic Transformation Induced by Acute Hyperglycemia Combined with Transient Focal Ischemia

Published on: November 15, 2024

957

Related Concept Videos

Hypoglycemia and Glucagon01:15

Hypoglycemia and Glucagon

Without prolonged fasting, healthy individuals maintain blood glucose levels above 3.5 mM due to a well-adapted neuroendocrine counterregulatory system that effectively prevents acute hypoglycemia, a potentially life-threatening condition. The primary clinical scenarios for hypoglycemia encompass diabetes treatment, inappropriate production of endogenous insulin or insulin-like substances by tumors, and the use of glucose-lowering agents in non-diabetic individuals. Notably, hypoglycemia in the...
1.3K
Hyperglycemia01:29

Hyperglycemia

Hyperglycemia is an abnormally high blood glucose level. It is diagnosed by fasting glucose ≥126 mg/dL, 2-hour oral glucose tolerance test (or OGTT) ≥200 mg/dL, random glucose ≥200 mg/dL with symptoms, or HbA1c ≥6.5%. However, HbA1c results may be unreliable in certain conditions, such as anemia or hemoglobinopathies, and the diagnosis should be confirmed unless classic symptoms are present. Postprandial hyperglycemia is typically considered significant when glucose...
25
Hypoglycemia01:26

Hypoglycemia

Hypoglycemia is a blood glucose level below 70 mg/dL. It commonly occurs in individuals using insulin or insulin-secreting drugs, but may also arise in non-diabetic conditions. People with type 1 diabetes are at the highest risk because they depend on exogenous insulin. People with type 2 diabetes are also at risk, especially when treated with insulin or medications such as sulfonylureas, which increase insulin release regardless of blood glucose levels. It develops when insulin levels exceed...
30
Diabetic Ketoacidosis l: Introduction01:25

Diabetic Ketoacidosis l: Introduction

DefinitionDiabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) is an acute, life-threatening complication of diabetes mellitus, characterized by a triad of hyperglycemia (blood glucose >250 mg/dL), ketonemia or ketonuria, and metabolic acidosis (arterial pH <7.30 and serum bicarbonate <18 mEq/L). It results from insulin deficiency combined with elevated levels of counterregulatory hormones—glucagon, catecholamines, cortisol, and growth hormone—leading to increased lipolysis, hepatic...
30
Complications of Diabetes Mellitus01:22

Complications of Diabetes Mellitus

Diabetes mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder characterized by persistent hyperglycemia due to insulin deficiency, resistance, or both. Prolonged hyperglycemia disrupts metabolic homeostasis and leads to acute and chronic complications.Acute ComplicationsAcute complications result from sudden metabolic imbalance.Diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) mainly appears in type 1 diabetes but may also develop in type 2 diabetes, particularly under extreme stress. It arises from severe insulin deficiency,...
35
Type I Diabetes III: Clinical Manifestations01:19

Type I Diabetes III: Clinical Manifestations

Type 1 diabetes mellitus typically presents with rapid-onset symptoms due to the body’s inability to utilize glucose in the absence of insulin. Since insulin is required for glucose uptake into cells, its deficiency leads to hyperglycemia and cellular energy deprivation, resulting in characteristic clinical features.Polyuria and PolydipsiaOne of the earliest, most prominent symptoms is polyuria (excessive urination). When blood glucose concentrations rise above the renal threshold, the...
26