Frequency and Outcome of Hypoglycemia in Severely Malnourished Children at Tertiary Care Hospital Larkana

Objective: To determine frequency and outcome of hypoglycemia in severely malnourished children at tertiary care Hospital Larkana.

Methodology: This descriptive, case series study was carried out at the department of Pediatric Medicine Chandka Medical Hospital Larkana, during 6 months. Severely malnourished children of both gender and age between 6 months to 5 years were enrolled. Severity of malnutrition was evaluated as per standard anthropometric measures i.e. height, body weight, MUAC (mid upper arm circumference) by standard MUAC tape. Hypoglycemia was assessed by checking random blood sugar on glucometer. All the data was recorded via self-made proforma and analyzed by using SPSS version 20.

Results: Mean age of the patients was 24.27±15.30 months. Mean MUAC was 9.39±1.56. There were 96 (52.20%) females and 88 (47.80%) males. Mean serum glucose level was found to be 86.02±21.58 mg/dL. There were 23(12.50%) patients with hypoglycemia and out of which 16 (69.60%) patients expired and 7 (30.40%) patients survived.

Conclusion: Hypoglycemia was found to be 12.50% in severely malnourished children and it was significantly associated with adverse outcome.