Thiazide-Induced Hyperglycemia in a 6 Years Old Girl: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

Abstract

Various factors may affect glucose homeostasis in children resulting in rare clinical scenarios. Alterations in glucose regulation and hyperglycemia may result from pharmacologic interventions and the introduction of new medications. Although used most commonly to control fluid balance, an uncommon adverse effect of the thiazide diuretics is hyperglycemia. We present a 6-year-old girl with congenital heart disease who developed clinically significant hyperglycemia when a thiazide diuretic was added to her medication regimen. Previous reports of similar responses are reviewed, physiologic mechanisms are postulated, and treatment strategies are proposed.