Investigation of the Relation Between Hyperglycemia and Morbidity and Mortality Rates in Critically Ill Children in March 2013 to February 2014

Background: The purpose of this study is to determine the frequency of hyperglycemia in nondiabetic critically ill children and to investigate its relationship with mechanical ventilation, length of stay and mortality. Methods: In this original retrospective study, data was (were) collected between 2013 and 2014 from the pediatric intensive care unit data base of Sheikh’s Children Hospital in Mashhad, Iran (one hundred admitted children). Results: From among 97 subjects, 49 subjects (50.5%) were hospitalized for more than 10 days, and the mean length of stay was 14 days. The overall mortality rate was 16 subjects (16.5%) and frequency of hyperglycemia was 24 subjects (24.7%). The median for blood glucose measurements was 100 mg/dl. Seventy three subjects (75.3%) had a mean blood glucose level in the normal range. Overall, 18 subjects (18.6%) had at least one blood glucose measurement of 180 mg/dL or higher. There was a significant association between hyperglycemia and mortality (P < 0.001). Linear regression analysis showed positive correlation between blood glucose level, length of stay and length of ventilation (P ≤ 0.001). The maximum serum glucose concentration positively correlated with duration of mechanical ventilation and length of stay (P < 0.001). Conclusions: Our study found that maximum serum glucose concentration positively correlated with the duration of mechanical ventilation, length of stay, and mortality.