TITLE:
Blood Glucose Concentration Abnormalities in Children with Severe Malaria: Risk Factors and Outcome
AUTHORS:
Oko Aymar Pierre Gildas, Ekouya Bowassa Gaston, Lombet Laetitia, Missambou Mandilou Steve Vassili, Kambourou Judicaël, Poathy Jeysse Pierre Yoleine, Pandzou Guembo Nelly, Ndjobo Mamadou Ildevert Cyriaque, Moyen Engombo, Moyen Georges Marius
KEYWORDS:
Glucose Abnormalities, Deaths, Risk Factors, Malaria, Children
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Pediatrics,
Vol.7 No.4,
October
31,
2017
ABSTRACT: Background: The place of blood glucose abnormalities in severe malaria is poorly
defined. The objective of the study was to determine the incidence of glycemic
abnormalities and to identify the factors associated with their occurrence and
death. Patients and Methods: A prospective study was conducted from January to October 2016 at the Teaching
Hospital of Brazzaville. The blood glucose levels of all children
hospitalized for severe malaria were measured for 3 days. The variables were
compared in univariate and multivariate analysis. Results: A total of
158 children with an average age of 69.6 months ± 43.2 (ranges: 5 months and 15 years) were hospitalized for severe malaria.
Moderate hyperglycemia was observed in 52.53% of children, severe
hyperglycemia: 17.72%, moderate hypoglycemia: 15.19% and severe hypoglycemia:
2.53%. Children aged 5 years (p = 0.03), females (p = 0.03), with disease duration before
admission ≥ 7 days (p = 0.03) and referred from private hospitals (p = 0.04) had an
increased risk of hypoglycemia. Age > 5
years was associated with hyperglycemia (p = 0.0006).
The presence of hypoglycemia (blood glucose ≤ 3.3
mmol/L) on admission was associated with the risk of death (OR = 9.59, p =
0.02), no death occurred in children with hyperglycemia (p = 0.4) on admission. Conclusion: The incidence of blood glucose abnormalities is high in
severe malaria. Hyperglycemia is more common than hypoglycemia, but only
hypoglycemia is associated with an increased risk of death.