Prevalence of stress hyperglycemia among patients attending a pediatric emergency department

"Prevalence, outcome and factors associated with dysglycemia among critically ill children presenting to Fort Portal Regional Referral Hospital: A cross sectional study"

Introduction

Dysglycemia has been shown to influence outcome among critically ill children. We aimed to determine the prevalence, outcome and factors associated with dysglycemia among critically ill children aged one month to 12 years presenting to Fort Portal regional referral hospital.

Methods

The study employed a descriptive, cross-sectional design for prevalence and factors associated, and longitudinal observational study design to determine the immediate outcome. Critically ill children aged one month to 12 years were systematically sampled and triaged at outpatient department using World Health Organization emergency signs. The random blood glucose was evaluated on admission and at 24 hours. Verbal and written informed consent/assent were obtained after stabilization of the study participants. Those that had hypoglycemia were given Dextrose 10% and those with hyperglycemia had no intervention.

Results

Of the 384 critically ill children, dysglycemia was present in 21.7% (n = 83), of those 78.3% (n = 65) had hypoglycemia and 21.7% (n = 18) had hyperglycemia. The proportion of dysglycemia at 24 hours was 2.4% (n = 2). None of the study participants had persistent hypoglycemia at 24 hours. The cumulative mortality at 48hours was 3.6% (n = 3). At 48 hours 33.2% (n = 27) had stable blood glucose levels and were discharged from the hospital. After multiple logistic regression, obstructed breathing (AOR 0.07(0.02-0.23), inability to breastfeed/drink (AOR 2.40 (1.17-4.92) and active convulsions (AOR 0.21 (0.06-0.74), were the factors that were significantly associated with dysglycemia among critically ill children. The results will guide in the revision of policies and treatment protocols to facilitate better management of children at risk of dysglycemia nationally.

Conclusions

Dysglycemia was found to affect one in five critically ill children aged one month to 12 years presenting to Fort Portal Regional Referral Hospital. Dysglycemia outcomes are good with early intervention.

Glucose Metabolism and Stress Hyperglycemia in Critically Ill Children

Abnormalities in glucose metabolism and stress hyperglycemia (SH) are commonly seen in critically ill children. While SH may represent an adaptive stress response as a source of fuel for the body during the "fight or flight response" of critical illness, several studies have observed the association of SH with worse outcomes in different disease states. In addition to alterations in glucose metabolism and acquired insulin resistance from inflammation and organ dysfunction, specific intensive care unit (ICU) interventions can also affect glucose homeostasis and SH during critical illness. Common ICU interventions can mediate the development of SH in critical illness. The strategy of tight glucose control combined with intensive insulin therapy (TGC-IIT) has been well studied to improve outcomes in both adult and pediatric critical illness. Though early single-center studies of TGC-IIT observed benefits with better outcomes albeit with greater incidence of hypoglycemia, subsequent larger multicenter studies in both children and adults have not conclusively demonstrated benefits and have even observed harm. Several possible reasons for these contrasting results include differences in patient populations, glycemic control targets, and glucose control protocols including nutrition support, and variability in achieving these targets, measurement methods, and expertise in protocol implementation. Future studies may need to individualize management of SH in critically ill children with improved monitoring of indices of glycemia utilizing continuous sensors and closed-loop insulin administration.

Association between Stress Hyperglycemia and Adverse Outcomes in Children Visiting the Pediatric Emergency Department

Stress hyperglycemia (SH) is often identified in patients visiting the pediatric emergency department (PED), and SH in adults has been associated with adverse outcomes, including mortality. In this retrospective study, we determined the adverse outcomes according to blood glucose (BG) levels of children visiting the PED of tertiary hospitals. Data were collected from the electronic medical records of children aged <18 years between 1 January 2011 and 31 December 2020. A total of 44,905 visits were included in the analysis. SH was identified in 1506 patients, with an incidence rate of 3.4%. Compared to those without SH, patients with SH had significantly higher ward admission rates (52.6% vs. 35.9%, p < 0.001), intensive care unit admission rates (2.6% vs. 0.7%, p < 0.001), and mortality rates (2.7% vs. 0.3%, p < 0.001). Compared to the normoglycemic group of 45 ≤ BG < 150 mg/dL, the odds ratios (95% CI) for mortality were 5.61 (3.35−9.37), 27.96 (14.95−52.26), 44.22 (17.03−114.82), and 39.94 (16.31−97.81) for levels 150 ≤ BG < 200, 200 ≤ BG < 250, 250 ≤ BG < 300 and ≥300 mg/dL, respectively. This suggests that SH is common in children visiting the PED and is associated with higher adverse outcomes. Thus, there is a need to quickly identify its cause and take prompt intervention to resolve it.

Stress hyperglycemia as first sign of asymptomatic type 1 diabetes: an instructive case

Background

Stress hyperglycemia (SH) is considered a transient manifestation and routine diagnostic evaluation was thought to be unnecessary due to the lack of definite correlation with diabetes mellitus (DM). Although SH was usually benign and long-term treatment was superfluous, it might be the first sign of insulinopenic status such as type 1 DM (T1DM).

Case presentation

We reported a boy with acute asthma attack presented incidentally with high blood glucose levels exceeding 300 mg/dL and obvious glycemic variability. A prolonged hyperglycemic duration of more than 48 h was also noticed. To elucidate his unique situation, glucagon test and insulin autoantibody survey were done which showed insulinopenia with positive anti-insulin antibody and glutamic acid decarboxylase antibody despite the absence of overt DM symptoms and signs.

Conclusions

This case highlights that SH might be a prodromal presentation in T1DM children, especially when accompanied simultaneously with extreme hyperglycemia, apparent glucose variability, as well as prolonged hyperglycemic duration.

Hyperglycemia in Acutely Ill Non-diabetic Children in the Emergency Rooms of 2 Tertiary Hospitals in Lagos, Nigeria

OBJECTIVES

The study aimed to determine the prevalence of hyperglycemia in sick children admitted into the emergency rooms and to investigate its relationship with adverse outcomes.

METHODS

A prospective study involving 2 tertiary hospitals in Lagos. Study subjects included all children aged beyond 1 month. An Accu-Chek Active glucometer was used for the bedside blood glucose determination. Hyperglycemia was defined as blood glucose greater than 7.8 mmol/L.

RESULTS

A total of 1045 patients were recruited with hyperglycemia being recorded in 135 patients (prevalence rate of 12.9%). Mean age of the hyperglycemic patients was 29.0 ± 31.23 months. Prevalence rates of hyperglycemia among the leading diagnoses were 17.4% in acute respiratory tract infections, 11% in malaria, 15.3% in septicemia, 14.9% in gastroenteritis, and 18.2% in burns. Other conditions include sickle cell anemia, meningitis, and malnutrition. Mortality rate was significantly higher overall in hyperglycemic compared with the normoglycemic patients (15.4% vs 8.0%, P = 0.011). With regard to specific diagnoses, significantly higher mortality rates were recorded in hyperglycemic patients with acute respiratory tract infections (28% vs 8%, P = 0.011) and malaria (21.4% vs 5.0%, P = 0.006) than in their normoglycemic counterparts.

CONCLUSIONS

Hyperglycemia is common in ill children admitted to the emergency rooms and is associated with 2 to 4 times higher mortality in common childhood diseases encountered. Blood glucose determination is important in all acutely ill children at presentation. The practice of empirical administration of intravenous glucose in some resource-constrained facilities where blood glucose testing facilities are not readily available should be discouraged.

Children Experiencing First-Time or Prolonged Febrile Seizure Are Prone to Stress Hyperglycemia

The risk factors and clinical implications of stress hyperglycemia in children with febrile seizure remain uncertain. Among 479 children with febrile seizure, the prevalence of the stress hyperglycemia (blood glucose concentration ≥ 150 mg/dL) was 10.0%. Stress hyperglycemia group included larger proportion of first-time febrile seizure, prolonged febrile seizure, and smaller proportion of short febrile seizure in comparison with the non-stress hyperglycemia group. Stress hyperglycemia group demonstrated a lower pH and higher lactate levels than the non-stress hyperglycemia group. Multivariate analysis revealed that first-time febrile seizure (aOR = 3.741, P = .004) and prolonged febrile seizure (aOR = 12.855, P < .001) were significant risk factors for stress hyperglycemia. The rate of early febrile seizure recurrence in the emergency department was not different between the groups. These findings suggest that children experiencing first-time or prolonged febrile seizure are prone to stress hyperglycemia, and this can be related to febrile seizure severity. However, stress hyperglycemia is not predictive of early febrile seizure recurrence in the emergency department.

Stress hyperglycaemia as a result of a catecholamine producing tumour in an infant

Hyperglycaemia commonly occurs in children presenting at the emergency department. In the absence of diabetic symptoms, this stress-related hyperglycaemia is considered a benign condition. We present a malignant cause of hyperglycaemia in an 11-month-old girl with concomitant symptoms of a neuroendocrine malignancy. One month earlier, she had undergone an episode of stress-related hyperglycaemia concurrent with fever during an upper respiratory tract infection. Current glucose level was 234 mg/dL (13 mmol/L) and the glycosylated haemoglobin level was 44 mmol/mol (6.2%) without metabolic acidosis. We observed periods of hyperglycaemia, sweating, flushing, hypertension and tachypnoea. Urinalysis showed high amounts of catecholamine intermediates. Abdominal ultrasound revealed a mass originating in the right adrenal gland. Histology confirmed the diagnosis of neuroblastoma. Hyperglycaemia in this patient was the first presenting symptom of a metabolically active neuroblastoma.

Abnormal blood glucose as a prognostic factor for adverse clinical outcome in children admitted to the paediatric emergency unit at komfo anokye teaching hospital, kumasi, ghana

Dysglycaemia (hyper- or hypoglycaemia) in critically ill children has been associated with poor outcome. We compared the clinical outcomes in children admitted to Pediatric Emergency Unit (PEU) at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital (KATH) for acute medical conditions and presenting with euglycaemia or dysglycaemia. This is a prospective case matching cohort study. Eight hundred subjects aged between 3 and 144 months were screened out of whom 430 (215 with euglycaemia and 215 with dysglycaemia) were enrolled. The median age was 24 months (range: 3-144 months). In the dysglycaemia group, 28 (13%) subjects had hypoglycemia and 187 (87%) had hyperglycemia. Overall, there were 128 complications in 116 subjects. The number of subjects with complications was significantly higher in dysglycaemia group (n = 99, 46%) compared to euglycaemia group (n = 17, 8%) (P < 0.001). Forty subjects died out of whom 30 had dysglycaemia (P = 0.001). Subjects with dysglycaemia were 3 times (95% CI: 1.5-6.0) more likely to die and 4.8 times (95% CI: 3.1-7.5) more likely to develop complications (P = 0.001). Dysglycaemia is associated with increased morbidity and mortality in children with acute medical conditions and should lead to intensive management of the underlying condition.

Thyroid function and stress hormones in children with stress hyperglycemia

The purpose of the study is to determine the prevalence of stress hyperglycemia and to investigate how thyroid and stress hormones alter during stress hyperglycemia in children admitted to pediatric emergency wards. A prospective cross-sectional study was conducted in children, less than 19 years old, who were admitted to pediatric emergency wards of Nemazee and Dastgheib Hospitals, Shiraz, Southern Iran. Those patients taking steroids, beta-agonists or intravenously administered glucose before venipuncture, and patients with diabetes mellitus (DM) or thyroid diseases were excluded. Children with blood glucose ≥ 150 mg/dL during admission were regarded as cases. The controls were age- and- sex- matched, euglycemic children. Stress hormones including cortisol, insulin, growth hormone, and prolactin were measured, and thyroid function was tested with a radioimmunoassay (RIA) method in all cases and controls. The results showed that among 1,054 screened children, 39 cases (3.7 %) had stress hyperglycemia and 89 controls were included in the study. The occurrence of hyperglycemia was independent of sex, but it occurred mostly in children under 6 years old. Hyperglycemia occurred more frequently in patients with a positive family history of DM (odds ratio = 3.2, 95 % CI = 1.3-7.9, and P = 0.009). There were no significant differences between cases and controls regarding any hormones except higher cortisol, and lower total T3 and T4 in cases compared with controls. Neither of cases developed diabetes in the 24-month follow-up period. These findings led us to the conclusion that stress hyperglycemia is occasionally seen in critically ill patients. Among the stress hormones measured, only cortisol increased during hyperglycemia. It seems that hyperglycemia is not an important risk factor for future diabetes.

[Diabetes mellitus: clinical presentation and differential diagnosis of hyperglycemia in childhood and adolescence]

Diabetes mellitus is one of the most common chronic diseases in childhood. Despite being a clinical and etiopathogenically heterogeneous disorder, type 1 autoimmune diabetes accounts for more than 95% of cases in children. Recent advances have meant that a growing number of patients have been assigned to other subtypes of diabetes. In such cases, the correct diagnosis is facilitated by the fact that many of these rare causes of diabetes are associated with specific clinical syndromes or may present at a certain age. Many of them are also subsidiaries of molecular diagnosis. The aim of this review is to update the current knowledge in this field of pediatric diabetes, in an attempt to determine the most accurate diagnosis and its implications on appropriate treatment and prognosis.

Stress hyperglycemia in pediatric critical illness: the intensive care unit adds to the stress!

Stress hyperglycemia (SH) commonly occurs during critical illness in children. The historical view that SH is beneficial has been questioned in light of evidence that demonstrates the association of SH with worse outcomes. In addition to intrinsic changes in glucose metabolism and development of insulin resistance, specific intensive care unit (ICU) practices may influence the development of SH during critical illness. Mechanical ventilation, vasoactive infusions, renal replacement therapies, cardiopulmonary bypass and extracorporeal life support, therapeutic hypothermia, prolonged immobility, nutrition support practices, and the use of medications are all known to mediate development of SH in critical illness. Tight glucose control (TGC) to manage SH has emerged as a promising therapy to improve outcomes in critically ill adults, but results have been inconclusive. Large variations in ICU practices across studies likely resulted in inconsistent results. Future studies of TGC need to take into account the impact of commonly used ICU practices and, ideally, standardize protocols in an attempt to improve the accuracy of conclusions from such studies.

Stress hyperglycemia: a sign of familial diabetes in children

Stress hyperglycemia in children is considered a benign condition that usually does not mandate further investigation. In some clinical settings it might be the first sign of diabetes mellitus (DM). Two unrelated boys, one aged 2 years 7 months and the other aged 5 days, were evaluated in the emergency department for a febrile infection and found to have elevated blood glucose levels (238 and 150 mg/dL [preprandial], respectively). In both cases the elevated hemoglobin A1c levels (6.5% and 6.6%, respectively) combined with a history of gestational DM in the mother and positive family history for DM suggested maturity-onset diabetes of the young. Genetic analysis revealed 2 known heterozygote mutations in the glucokinase gene: c.697T→C p.C233R in the first case and c.616A→C p.T206P in the second case. Our findings suggest that stress hyperglycemia during early childhood in association with a positive family history of DM might be a sign of monogenic diabetes.

Acute glucose elevation is highly predictive of infection and outcome in critically injured trauma patients

OBJECTIVE(S)

To evaluate whether acute glucose elevation (AGE) is predictive of infection and outcome in critically injured trauma patients during the first 14 days of ICU admission.

METHODS

A prospective study was conducted on 2200 patients admitted to the ICU over a 2 1/2 year period. The diagnosis of infection was made via a multidisciplinary fashion utilizing CDC criteria. After early glucose stabilization occurred (no significant change for 48 hours after admission) monitoring for AGE was performed utilizing a computational and graded algorithmic model. Iatrogenic causes of AGE were excluded. Stepwise regression models were performed controlling for age, gender, mechanism of injury, diabetes, injury severity, and APACHE 2 score. ROC curves were used to evaluate the positive predictive value of the test.

RESULTS

Seventy-seven percent of the patients in the cohort were males, and were admitted for blunt injuries (n = 1870 or 85%). The mean age, Injury Severity Score, and APACHE score were 44 ± 20 years, 29 ± 13, and 13 ± 7, respectively. The mean admission serum glucose value was 141 ± 36 mg/dL (range, 64-418 mg/dL). A total of 616 (28%) patients were diagnosed with an infection during the first 14 days of admission. AGE had a 91% positive predictive value for infection diagnosis. In addition, AGE was associated with a significant increase in ventilator, ICU, and hospital days as well as mortality even when adjusted for age, injury severity, APACHE score, and diabetes (P < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

AGE is a highly accurate predictor of infection and should stimulate clinicians to identify a new source of infection.

Extreme stress hyperglycemia during acute illness in a pediatric emergency department

OBJECTIVES

Although mild stress hyperglycemia in pediatric illness is common, severe hyperglycemic responses (≥300 mg/dL [16.7 mmol/L]) to stress are unusual. We sought to determine the incidence and course of extreme stress hyperglycemia (ESH) in acute pediatric illness, including whether it is a marker of increased mortality or associated with subsequent development of diabetes mellitus (DM).

METHODS

We retrospectively reviewed a cohort of 55,120 consecutive visits over 6 years to a pediatric emergency department at which blood glucose concentrations were measured and report on visits with laboratory glucose 300 mg/dL (16.7 mmol/L) or greater without DM.

RESULTS

There were 72 cases of ESH (incidence of 0.13%). Median age was 8.8 years; 63% were male. The most common diagnoses were respiratory illness (49%), trauma (15%), and seizure (8%), and 65% of patients had received glucose-influencing interventions before evaluation. Eighty-five percent were ill appearing, 60% were admitted to the intensive care unit, and half had acidemic pH values. The overall mortality rate was 22%. Despite treatment of hyperglycemia in only 8 patients, glucose concentrations decreased to 150 mg/dL (8.3 mmol/L) or less within 48 hours in 67% and before discharge or death in 85% of patients. Preceding symptoms and concurrent laboratory results were helpful to exclude diabetes, and none of the surviving patients with follow-up available went on to develop type 1 or 2 DM.

CONCLUSIONS

Although rare, ESH (≥300 mg/dL [16.7 mmol/L]) does occur in acute pediatric illness, in most cases is at least partially iatrogenic, and is a marker of severe illness and high mortality. Normoglycemia is typically restored quickly with treatment of the primary illness. No association was found with a subsequent diagnosis of DM.

Mild fasting hyperglycemia in children: high rate of glucokinase mutations and some risk of developing type 1 diabetes mellitus

BACKGROUND

Incidental hyperglycemia in children generates concern about the presence of preclinical type 1 diabetes mellitus (T1DM).

OBJECTIVE

To genetically evaluate two common forms of maturity-onset diabetes of youth (MODY), the short-term prognosis in children with mild hyperglycemia, and a positive family history of diabetes mellitus.

SUBJECTS

Asymptomatic children and adolescents (n = 14), younger than 15 yr, with fasting hyperglycemia, a positive family history of mild non-progressive hyperglycemia, and negative pancreatic autoantibodies were studied.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Glucokinase gene (GCK) and hepatocyte nuclear factor 1 alpha gene (HNF1A) causing two common forms of MODY were sequenced. The clinical outcome was evaluated after a follow-up period of 2.8 +/- 1.3 yr.

RESULTS

GCK mutations were present in seven children. The confirmation of this diagnosis allowed discontinuation of insulin in two families and oral medications in three families. Mutations of HNF1A were not detected in any of the families. During the follow-up period, all the GCK mutation carrier children remained asymptomatic without medication and the last hemoglobin A1c levels were 6.4 +/- 0.7%. In the GCK-negative children (n = 7), one developed T1DM, corresponding to 7.2% of the total group. Mild fasting hyperglycemia persisted during follow-up in four GCK-negative children and normalized in the remaining two.

CONCLUSIONS

The presence of mild persistent hyperglycemia in any patient without autoantibodies should lead to genetic analysis of GCK, particularly if there is a positive family history. Furthermore, those without GCK mutations should be followed with repeat autoantibody testing, and other genetic types of diabetes should be considered if hyperglycemia worsens.

Hyponatremia in pediatric community-acquired pneumonia

Studies focusing on serum sodium disorders in children with community-acquired-pneumonia (CAP) are nearly entirely lacking, though clinical experience suggests that at least hyponatremia (HN) might be rather common. We evaluated the incidence of hypo- and hypernatremia, in relation to other clinical, laboratory and etiological findings, in pediatric CAP. Serum sodium concentration was measured in 108 ambulatory and hospitalized children with radiologically confirmed CAP of variable severity. The etiology of CAP was revealed by serology in 97 patients. HN (serum sodium < 135 mmol/l) was present in 49 (45.4%) children, and it was mild (> 130 mmol/l) in 92% of the cases. On admission, hyponatremic patients had higher body temperature (38.96 degrees C vs 38.45 degrees C, P = 0.008), white blood cell count (21,074/microl vs 16,592/microl, P = 0.008), neutrophil percentage (78.93% vs 69.33%, P = 0.0001), serum C-reactive protein (168.27 mg/l vs 104.75 mg/l, P = 0.014), and serum procalcitonin (22.35 ng/ml vs 6.87 ng/ml, P = 0.0001), and lower calculated osmolality (263.39 mosmol/l vs 272.84 mosmol/l, P = 0.0001) than normonatremic ones. No association was found with plasma glucose, type of radiological consolidation or etiology of CAP. HN is common but usually mild in children with CAP. HN seems to be associated with the severity of CAP, assessed by fever, need of hospitalization and serum non-specific inflammatory markers.

Prevalence and clinical outcome of inpatient hyperglycemia in a community pediatric hospital

BACKGROUND

Inpatient hyperglycemia in adult patients with and without a history of diabetes is a predictor of poor clinical outcome. No previous studies, however, have examined the association of hyperglycemia and clinical outcome in children admitted to a community pediatric hospital.

METHODS

The study was a retrospective observational cohort of pediatric patients admitted to a community children's hospital from January 2004 to August 2004. Medical records of 903 consecutive children admitted to critical and non-critical care areas were reviewed. Of them, 342 patients (38%) had no blood glucose measurements during their hospital stay. In the remaining patients, we determined the prevalence of hyperglycemia and examined the association of hyperglycemia with clinical outcome.

RESULTS

A total of 406 patients (75%) had an admission blood glucose < or =120 mg/dL (mean +/- SEM 98 +/- 1 mg/dL), 103 children (19%) had an admission blood glucose level of 121-179 mg/dL (mean 143 +/- 2 mg/dL), and 32 patients (5.9%) had a blood glucose level > or =180 mg/dL (mean 260 +/- 18 mg/dL). Seventeen patients (13%) had a known history of diabetes prior to admission. Children with hyperglycemia were more likely to be admitted to the ICU (P < .001) and had a longer length of ICU stay (P < .001), but admission hyperglycemia was not associated with longer hospital stay or higher hospital mortality.

CONCLUSIONS

Hyperglycemia is present in one-fourth of children admitted to the hospital, most of them without a history of diabetes prior to admission. Hyperglycemia was associated with a greater need for ICU care and longer ICU stay but not with increased in-hospital mortality.

Stress lysis in childhood leukemia

Children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) can experience a decrease in their white blood count (WBC) prior to chemotherapy, a phenomenon commonly attributed to the administration of allopurinol and hydration. We reviewed the records of 20 children with newly diagnosed ALL prior to the administration of allopurinol and found that 80% of patients experienced a decrease in their WBC (median decrease 14,000/mm(3)) in the less than 24-hr interval between evaluation at the referring center and admission to our hospital (P = 0.002). The basis for this often-observed phenomenon appears to be that leukemic cells rapidly lyse in response to the stress-induced release of endogenous corticosteroids.

Hyperglycemia in the pediatric intensive care unit

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

Studies on critically ill adults demonstrate the benefits of glycemic control. There is a paucity of data, however, in pediatric intensive care settings. This review summarizes sentinel papers in the adult literature, outlines mechanisms by which hyperglycemia mediates its effects in the critically ill, highlighting those described in pediatrics, and discusses studies that associate hyperglycemia with negative outcome in critically ill children.

RECENT FINDINGS

Retrospective studies and prospective cohort studies have linked hyperglycemia to worse outcome in critically ill children. Investigations in small, homogenous groups, such as trauma, sepsis, burn and neonatal patients, have shown negative associations between hyperglycemia and injury-specific outcomes and have elucidated previously proposed mechanisms of tissue injury in children. In addition, certain properties of hyperglycemia, such as duration, peak, and excursion, may be more relevant than absolute levels of glucose. Larger studies generalize findings to heterogeneous pediatric intensive care populations, across ages and diagnoses. Further, in studies accounting for insulin administration, no obvious increases in hypoglycemia-related morbidity have been noted.

SUMMARY

Glucose control in pediatric intensive care has been receiving increasing attention. Large, prospective studies are needed to address certain issues in pediatrics, such as differences in diseases, target values, complications of disease, risks and sequelae of hypoglycemia and logistical challenges.

Diabetes and hyperglycemia: strict glycemic control

OBJECTIVE

To critically review recent evidence on pathophysiology, diagnosis, and control of acute and chronic hyperglycemia in medical and surgical intensive care unit (ICU) patients.

DATA SOURCE AND STUDY SELECTION

A MEDLINE/PubMed search (1966 through February 2006) with manual cross-referencing was conducted, including all relevant articles published on blood glucose control in intensive care patients. An emphasis was placed on more recent clinical trials investigating the effects of tight glycemic control in ICU patients and on basic science studies investigating the pathophysiology and systemic effects of transient hyperglycemia in nondiabetic patients.

DATA EXTRACTION AND SYNTHESIS

Original articles, selected reviews, letters to the editor, and chapters of selected textbooks were extracted. The reviewed information was then analyzed with respect to the prevalence of hyperglycemia in ICU patients, the pathophysiology of hyperglycemia in nondiabetics, and evidence on glycemic control in various subgroups of ICU patients. The risk of iatrogenic hypoglycemia in the ICU and potential future research directions are discussed at the end of the review.

CONCLUSIONS

Recent evidence shows direct improvements in patient mortality and in-hospital morbidity with strict control of even short-term elevations of glucose levels in certain subgroups of ICU patients. However, precisely defined target glucose levels, subgroup analyses of different patient populations and treatment interventions, and the avoidance of hypoglycemic episodes during insulin therapy remain incompletely resolved and warrant future investigation.

Glucokinase mutations in young children with hyperglycemia

BACKGROUND

The etiology of mild hyperglycemia without ketoacidosis in young children is often unknown. Maturity onset diabetes of youth (MODY) is a form of diabetes mellitus (DM) characterized by fasting hyperglycemia without evidence for autoimmune destruction of beta-cells.

METHODS

We genetically analyzed four families of young children with fasting hyperglycemia with family histories of diabetes for mutations in the genes for hepatocyte nuclear factor 4 alpha (HNF4alpha), glucokinase (GCK), and hepatocyte nuclear factor 1 alpha (HNF1alpha), the genes responsible for MODY1, MODY2, and MODY3, respectively.

RESULTS

We identified mutations in GCK (Gly258Asp, Arg303Trp, and Arg191Gln) in three of the four families. Molecular genetic characterization in these children clarified the etiology and prognosis of the hyperglycemia and allowed discontinuation of insulin therapy in one family.

CONCLUSIONS

We conclude that molecular evaluation for MODY in children with mild fasting hyperglycemia without ketosis with family histories of diabetes can provide important prognostic information to guide therapy and exclude preclinical type 1 diabetes mellitus.

Persistent hyperglycemia in critically ill children

OBJECTIVES

To determine the prevalence and prognostic significance of hyperglycemia among critically ill nondiabetic children.

STUDY DESIGN

We performed a retrospective cohort study using point-of-care blood glucose measurements, hospital administrative databases, and a computerized information system; 942 nondiabetic patients admitted to our Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) from October 2000 to September 2003 were included. The prevalence of hyperglycemia was based on initial PICU glucose measurement, highest value within 24 hours, and highest value measured during PICU stay up to 10 days after the first measurement. Primary outcome was in-hospital death with PICU lengths of stay (LOS) as secondary outcome.

RESULTS

Through the use of three cutoff values (120 mg/dL, 150 mg/dL, and 200 mg/dL), the prevalence of hyperglycemia was 16.7% to 75.0%. The relative risk (RR) for dying increased for maximum glucose within 24 hours >150 mg/dL (RR, 2.50; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.26 to 4.93) and highest glucose within 10 days >120 mg/dL (RR, 5.68; 95% CI, 1.38 to 23.47). LOS was decreased for admission glucose >120 mg/dL and 150 mg/dL but increased for all threshold values for maximum glucose within 10 days.

CONCLUSIONS

Hyperglycemia occurs frequently among critically ill nondiabetic children and is correlated with a greater in-hospital mortality rate and longer LOS.

Association of timing, duration, and intensity of hyperglycemia with intensive care unit mortality in critically ill children

OBJECTIVE

To study the association of timing, duration, and intensity of hyperglycemia with pediatric intensive care unit (PICU) mortality in critically ill children.

DESIGN

Retrospective cohort study.

SETTING

PICU of a university-affiliated, tertiary care, children's hospital.

PATIENTS

A total of 152 critically ill children receiving vasoactive infusions or mechanical ventilation.

INTERVENTIONS

None.

METHODS

With institutional review board approval, we reviewed a cohort of 179 consecutive children, 1 mo to 21 yrs of age, treated with mechanical ventilation or vasoactive infusions. We excluded 18 with <3 microg.kg(-1).min(-1) dopamine only, diabetes, or solid organ transplant and nine who died within 24 hrs of PICU admission. Peak blood glucose (BG) and time to peak BG during PICU admission, duration of hyperglycemia (percentage of PICU days with any BG of >126 mg/dL), and intensity of hyperglycemia (median BG during first 48 PICU hours) were analyzed for association with PICU mortality using chi-square, Student's t-test, and logistic regression.

MEASUREMENTS AND MAIN RESULTS

Peak BG of >126 mg/dL occurred in 86% of patients. Compared with survivors, nonsurvivors had higher peak BG (311 +/- 115 vs. 205 +/- 80 mg/dL, p <.001). Median time to peak BG was similar in nonsurvivors (23.5 hrs; interquartile ratio, 5-236 hrs) and survivors (19 hrs; interquartile ratio, 6-113 hrs). Duration of hyperglycemia was longer in nonsurvivors (71% +/- 14% of PICU days) vs. survivors (37% +/- 5% of PICU days, p <.001). Nonsurvivors had more intense hyperglycemia during the first 48 hrs in the PICU (126 +/- 38 mg/dL) vs. survivors (116 +/- 34 mg/dL, p <.05). Univariate logistic regression analysis showed that peak BG and the duration and intensity of hyperglycemia were each associated with PICU mortality (p <.05). Multivariate modeling controlling for age and Pediatric Risk of Mortality scores showed independent association of peak BG and duration of hyperglycemia with PICU mortality (p <.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Hyperglycemia is common in critically ill children. Peak BG and duration of hyperglycemia are independently associated with mortality in our PICU. A prospective, randomized trial of strict glycemic control in this subset of critically ill children who are at high risk of mortality is both warranted and feasible.

Endocrine changes in critical illness

The homeostatic corrections that have emerged in the course of human evolution to cope with catastrophic events involve a complex multisystem endeavor, of which the endocrine contribution is an integral component. Although the repertoire of endocrine changes has been probed in some detail, discerning the vulnerabilities and failure of this system is far more challenging. The ensuing endocrine topics illustrate some of the current issues reflecting attempts to gain an improved insight and clinical outcome for critical illness.

Abnormal blood glucose concentrations on admission to a rural Kenyan district hospital: prevalence and outcome

AIMS

To determine the prevalence, clinical characteristics, and outcome of hypoglycaemia on admission in children at a rural Kenyan district hospital.

METHODS

Observational study of 3742 children (including 280 neonates) in Kilifi District Hospital, Kenya.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

hypoglycaemia (blood glucose <2.2 mmol/l) and hyperglycaemia (blood glucose >10.0 mmol/l).

RESULTS

Non-neonates: the prevalence of hypoglycaemia on admission was 7.3%. Severe illness, malnutrition, last meal >12 hours ago, and a positive malaria slide were independently associated with hypoglycaemia. Overall, mortality in hypoglycaemic children was 20.2% compared to 3.8% in normoglycaemic children (p < 0.001). The brunt of mortality in hypoglycaemic children was borne by those who were severely ill or malnourished (31.8%) as opposed to those who were neither severely ill nor malnourished (9.0%). Neonates: 23.0% of neonates were hypoglycaemic on admission. Inability to breast feed and weight <2500 g were independently associated with hypoglycaemia. Mortality was 45.2% compared to 19.6% in normoglycaemic neonates (p < 0.001). Hyperglycaemia was present in 2.7% of children and was associated with a higher mortality than normoglycaemia, 14.0% versus 3.8% respectively (p < 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

Hypoglycaemia is common in children admitted to a rural Kenyan district hospital and is associated with an increased mortality. Apart from features of severe illness and poor feeding, clinical signs have a low sensitivity and specificity for hypoglycaemia. Where diagnostic facilities are lacking, presumptive treatment of severely ill children is recommended. For other children, the continuation of feeding (by nasogastric tube if necessary) should be part of standard management.

Serum fructosamine as a marker of 5-year risk of developing diabetes mellitus in patients exhibiting stress hyperglycaemia

AIMS

We examined whether the level of random serum glucose (RSG) in subjects exhibiting stress hyperglycaemia is a useful marker of the future risk of developing diabetes mellitus (DM), and whether serum fructosamine is of any additional value.

METHODS

All non-diabetic adults attending Accident and Emergency in 1994-1995, who had venesection, were studied. Serum fructosamine and RSG were routinely measured in all such patients. Using the laboratory biochemistry database the number of subjects with stress hyperglycaemia (RSG > 11.1 mmol/l) was determined, and their corresponding fructosamine values were recorded. The number of subjects who developed DM over the following 5 years was determined.

RESULTS

Three hundred and seventeen patients had stress hyperglycaemia, and follow-up data were available on 224 patients. Of these patients, 63 (28%) had developed DM over the 5 years follow-up period. RSG and fructosamine levels at baseline of patients subsequently developing DM were (mean +/- sd (range)) 16.7 +/- 7.0 (11.2-55.0) mmol/l and 3.3 +/- 0.6 (1.3-4.5) mmol/l, respectively. The patients who did not develop DM had a similar baseline RSG, 15.9 +/- 3.3 (11.2-30.6) mmol/l; P = 0.170, but lower baseline fructosamine, 2.4 +/- 0.4 (1.6-3.8) mmol/l; P < 0.001. Receiver-operating characteristics showed that a serum fructosamine > or = 2.8 mmol/l was a useful marker of the future risk of DM (75% sensitivity, 74% specificity, 53% positive and 88% negative predictive power).

CONCLUSIONS

The level of RSG in stress hyperglycaemia does not predict the future development of DM. Raised serum fructosamine is a more useful marker of future DM risk than RSG alone. Further prospective studies are needed.

Alterations in fuel metabolism in critical illness: hyperglycaemia

Hyperglycaemia is common during critical illness and may be viewed teleologically as a means of ensuring an adequate supply of glucose for the brain and phagocytic cells. Under normal conditions, euglycaemia is maintained by neural, hormonal and hepatic autoregulatory mechanisms. Critical illness promotes hyperglycaemia through an activation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, which in turn increases hepatic glucose production and inhibits insulin-mediated glucose uptake to skeletal muscle. Sustained hyperglycaemia is associated with adverse consequences that demand its control. Appropriate management includes discontinuing causative drugs, correcting hypokalaemia, treating infection and administering insulin. Insulin therapy also appears to be useful for promoting an anabolic response in skeletal muscle.

Risk of type 1 diabetes development in children with incidental hyperglycemia: A multicenter Italian study

OBJECTIVE

The aim of our study was to determine whether children with incidental hyperglycemia are at an increased risk of developing type 1 diabetes.

RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS

A total of 748 subjects, 1-18 years of age (9.04 +/- 3.62, mean +/- SD), without family history of type 1 diabetes, without obesity, and not receiving drugs were studied and found to have incidental elevated glycemia defined as fasting plasma glucose >5.6 mmol/l confirmed on two occasions. Subjects were tested for immunological, metabolic, and immunogenetic markers.

RESULTS

Islet cell antibodies >5 Juvenile Diabetes Foundation units were found in 10% of subjects, elevated insulin autoantibody levels in 4.6%, GAD antibody in 4.9%, and anti-tyrosine phosphatase-like protein autoantibodies in 3.9%. First-phase insulin response (FPIR) was <1st centile in 25.6% of subjects. The HLA-DR3/DR3 and HLA-DR4/other alleles were more frequent in hyperglycemic children than in normal control subjects (P = 0.012 and P = 0.005, respectively), and the HLA-DR other/other allele was less frequent than in normal control subjects (P = 0.000027). After a median follow-up of 42 months (range 1 month to 7 years), 16 (2.1%) subjects (11 males and 5 females), 4.1-13.9 years of age, became insulin dependent. All had one or more islet autoantibodies, and the majority had impaired insulin response and genetic susceptibility to type 1 diabetes. Diabetes symptoms were recorded in 11 patients and ketonuria only in 4 patients. The cumulative risk of type 1 diabetes was similar in males and females, and it was also similar in subjects under or over 10 years, whereas the cumulative risk of type 1 diabetes was increased in subjects with one or more autoantibodies and in those with FPIR <1st centile.

CONCLUSIONS

Children with incidental hyperglycemia have a higher-than-normal frequency of immunological, metabolic, or genetic markers for type 1 diabetes and have an increased risk of developing type 1 diabetes.

Stress hyperglycemia and the risk for the development of type 1 diabetes

Transient hyperglycemia during acute illness may represent the earliest clinical sign of impaired beta cell function. This study sought to characterize the clinical presentation of patients with stress hyperglycemia and to determine the prevalence of immunologic and endocrinologic markers associated with prediabetes. Thirty-six children were studied. They were referred to us for routine evaluation after an episode of hyperglycemia during severe intercurrent illness. Immunologic markers (insulin autoantibodies and islet cell autoantibodies) and intravenous glucose tolerance test for evaluation of first phase insulin secretion rate were performed in all participants. Islet cell autoantibodies were negative in all patients. In eight patients, the first phase insulin response was below the first percentile (46 microU/ml) at the first determination. Insulin autoantibodies were positive in another three children (> 60 nU/ml). Twelve to sixteen months later, all children were re-evaluated and all had normal results. None of the patients developed diabetes during the study (mean 3.2 years). Our data support the idea that episodes of hyperglycemia during severe illness without additional risk factors are a minimal risk factor, if any, for future development of IDDM.

Transient hyperglycemia in acute childhood illnesses: to attend or ignore?

Transient hyperglycemia occurs as a part of stress response in acute illnesses and is brought about by elevated levels of counter regulatory hormones. It is frequently encountered but the exact prevalence and implications, especially in childhood have not been studied in detail, 758 children (1 month to 6 years) with acute illness were screened for hyperglycemia; of these 36 children were found to have a glucose level of > or = 150 mg/dl at admission and were designated hyperglycemics. The overall prevalence of hyperglycemia was 4.7 per cent. The disease-wise prevalence in neurological disorders, septicemia, respiratory illnesses and diarrhoea was 7.9, 7.6, 4.2 and 3.0 per cent respectively. Family history of diabetes did not predispose towards developing transient hyperglycemia. The demographic profile (age, sex, nutrition status and disease pattern) and severity of illness (as assessed by temperature, heart rate, respiratory rate, duration of illness and hospitalization, treatment modalities required, hypoxia and acidosis) did not affect the prevalence, extent and the rate of normalization of hyperglycemia. The mortality in hyperglycemics was double (13.9%) as compared to 6.9% in non-hyperglycemics, although the difference was insignificant, statistically (O.R = 2.17, CI = 0.81-5.82, p > 0.05). It was, therefore, concluded that transient hyperglycemia occurs in 4-5% of patients with acute pediatric illnesses. However, it does not significantly correlate with the clinical profile and severity of the illness, and has no immediate prognostic significance.

Leukocytosis, hyperglycemia, vomiting, and positive X-rays are not indicators of severity of iron overdose in adults

To determine whether leukocytosis, hyperglycemia, vomiting, and opacities in abdominal radiographs are indicators of a serum iron concentration of > 300 micrograms/dL in adult iron overdose patients, a retrospective medical record review was undertaken at a university medical center of all patients older than 12 years of age for whom clinical data were collected before deferoxamine therapy and within 6 hours of iron ingestion. Forty-three patients met the inclusion criteria; 37 were female. The mean and range serum iron concentrations were 382 micrograms/dL and 58 to 710 micrograms/dL, with 34 patients having values of > 300 micrograms/dL. There were no statistically significant relationships between iron concentration of > 300 microgram/dL and leukocytosis, hyperglycemia, vomiting, and opacities in abdominal radiographs (P > .05). Sensitivities, specificities, and positive and negative predictive values indicate poor performance of these parameters as clinical predictors of serum iron concentration of > 300 micrograms/dL. Leukocytosis, hyperglycemia, vomiting, or the presence of opacities in abdominal X-rays are not indicators of a serum iron concentration of > 300 micrograms/dL in adults. These parameters should not be used to assess the severity of iron overdose or to guide its management.

Transient incidental glucosuria in children

A consecutive series of 78 children with transient asymptomatic glucosuria was studied and followed up for up to 7.3 years. The age at presentation was 0.9-17.6 (median 4.6) years. One third of the patients had random blood glucose levels of > 10.0 mmol/l (180 mg/dl). Five patients (6.4%) developed insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus within 2.1 years after the first incident of glucosuria. These patients presented with higher levels of glycaemia than others, and three out of five were positive for islet cell antibodies with a first-phase insulin response < 46 mU/l in all four studied. Of the remaining 73 children, 3 were positive for islet cell antibodies and 12/55 had a first-phase insulin response under 46 mU/l. The insulin response deteriorated in 3 but reverted to normal in 7 patients. CONCLUSION. For a child with transient glucosuria and with presence of islet cell antibodies and a subnormal first-phase insulin response, therapeutic attempts to prevent overt insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus should be considered.