Incidence of Hypoglycaemia in a Paediatric Emergency Ward in Nigeria

Objective: The study was conducted to determine the incidence of hypoglycaemia and some associated factors in children presenting as emergency in Aba, Nigeria.

Materials and Methods: This was a hospital based prospective descriptive study conducted in the children’s emergency ward (CHEW) of Abia State University Teaching Hospital (ABSUTH), Aba over a ten month period. Three hundred and eight children aged twenty nine (29) days to sixteen (16) years were enrolled. The patients’ biodata, detailed history and physical examination findings were recorded in a study proforma. Random blood sugar (RBS) was done on all patients at presentation and subsequently on hypoglycaemic patients using glucometer. Hypoglycaemia was defined as RBS < 2.2 mmol/l. Data analysis was done using SPSS version 11.0. P value < 0.05 was taken as statistically significant for all analyses.

Results: The incidence of hypoglycaemia was 7.5%. Hypoglycaemia was significantly associated with age less than 5 years, interval of more than 4 hours between the last meal and presentation, shorter duration of admission, coma and death.

Conclusion: The incidence of hypoglycaemia in this study is high and its contribution to mortality significant. Ill looking children particularly those aged less than five years or in coma presenting in emergency units should be mandatorily investigated for hypoglycaemia and managed aggressively if detected.