HYPOGLYCEMIA IN PEDIATRIC ADMISSIONS IN MOZAMBIQUE

We studied the incidence and clinical associations of hypoglycaemia in an acute medical paediatric service in Maputo, Mozambique. Of 603 chi ldren, 43 (7.1%) were hypoglycaemic. 16 of these with Plasmodium falci parum malaria had a shorter illness, and a higher incidence of convuls ions and focal neurological signs than those with other diagnoses, but were less likely to die. Hypoglycaemia also complicated protein energ y malnutrition, pneumonia, encephalitis, intestinal parasite infection , and nephrotic syndrome. 25 of the 603 children died: 7 (16.3%) of 43 with hypoglycaemia and 18 (3.2%) of 560 who were normoglycaemic, (rel ative risk of death 5.8 [95% confidence interval 2.25 to 14.93]). Hypo glycaemia is common in children in hospital in Mozambique, and should be suspected in any acutely-ill child regardless of the primary diseas e.