Retrospective Outcomes of Glucose Control in Critically Ill Children

Abstract

Background: Hyperglycemia is a significant problem for critically ill children. Treatment for hyperglycemia remains controversial. This study explores the effect of controlling blood glucose (BG) in hyperglycemic critically ill children. Methods: A retrospective cohort of nondiabetic critically ill children (defined as requiring mechanical ventilation and/or vasopressors) with BG persistently ≥150 mg/dl and treated with insulin (treatment group) were compared with a historical cohort of similar children who did not receive interventions to control hyperglycemia (baseline group). Results: There were 130 children in the treatment group and 137 children in the baseline group. Mean BG in the treatment group was 140 ± 24 mg/dl compared with 179 ± 47 mg/dl in the baseline group (p < .001). After adjusting for patient characteristics, cointerventions, and glucose metrics, patients in the treatment group had 2.5 fewer intensive care unit (ICU)-free days (i.e., number of days alive and discharged from ICU within 28 days after inclusion) than the baseline group (p = .023). Glucose control was not independently associated with duration of ICU stay, ventilator-free days, vasopressor-free days, or mortality. Conclusions: Blood glucose control appears associated with worse outcomes in critically ill children. Our data combined with conflicting results in adults leads us to strongly advocate for the conduct of randomized trials on glucose control in critically ill children.

The prevalence of hyperglycemia in critically ill children admitted in PICU

“…In our study only 2% patients had hypoglycemia and 58% had hyperglycemia. In one retrospective cohort study by Sarah B. Kandil et al [9] and S Ranjit et al [10] mean blood glucose in treatment group was 140+/-24mg/dl compared with 179 +/-47mg/dl in baseline group (p<0.001).…”

Hyperglycaemia and Outcome in Critically Ill Children With Central Nervous System Illness

“…4 On the other hand, tight glycaemic control using insulin has been found to be associated with no mortality benefit and an increased risk of hypoglycaemia. 6,7,8 None of the children were treated with insulin in our cohort.…”