Frequency and Outcome of Hypoglycemia in Acute Watery Diarrhea Complicated by Dehydration in 6-59 Months Children

Aim: To determine the frequency of hypoglycemia in 6-59 months old children with acute watery diarrhea complicated by dehydration. Study design: Descriptive case study Place and duration of study: Pediatric Unit BV Hospital Bahawalpur March, 2015 To March, 2016 Methods: A total of 129 children of 6 to 59 months of age suffering from acute watery diarrhea, having severe dehydration needing intravenous fluid at time of admission, were considered. Frequency of hypoglycemia, age groups (6-23 months) and (24-59) months. Sex, presence of vomiting, duration of diarrhea (less than 72 hours and 72 or more hours) and intravenous fluid within last 6 hours prior to admission were noted. Effects of all the variables were noted Results: Out of 129 children, 13 (10.1%) were having hypoglycemia at the time of admission. Majority of the children, 73 (56.6%) were male, 101 (78.3%) were between the age of 6-23 months, 78 (60.5%) under 10 kg, 73 (56.6%) having diarrhea for <= 72 hours at the time of admission. There were 51 (39.5%) children who presented with vomiting at the time of admission. Only 7 (5.4%) children were given IV fluid within last 6 hours prior to admission. During the study period, 5 children (3.9%) died during the study period. Outcome was significantly associated with hypoglycemia (p value < 0.001) whereas all other variables were statistically insignificant. Conclusion: The frequency of hypoglycaemia in acute watery diarrhoea complicated with dehydration in children under 5 years of age is high. Hypoglycemia is associated with significantly high mortality outcome as compared to normoglycemic children. Routine assessment of blood glucose at the time of hospital admission is advocated and empirical treatment should be done for hypoglycaemia to improve the outcome during hospital stay.