Evaluation of a real-time blood glucose monitor in children with diabetic ketoacidosis

Use of a real-time bedside glucose monitor was analyzed during the course o f management of diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA) in children. Simultaneous deter minations of blood glucose were obtained, using three methods: bedside gluc ose meter (One Touch(R) II), laboratory glucose analyzer (YSI 2300 STAT), a nd a real-time bedside glucose monitor (MA 1-01G Blood Chemistry monitor). Study patients included seventeen patients <18 years of age admitted to a P ediatric Intensive Care Unit, with blood samples obtained during treatment of DKA by continuous insulin infusion. Four patients did not complete the s tudy. Three experienced temporary technical problems with the monitor, and four required repeat IV placement. Duration of monitor use ranged between 6 and 47 h (mean 24 +/- 4 h). Blood glucose values ranged between 2.6 and 22 .5 mmol/l. Overall correlation of blood glucose values were as follows: 0.9 65, 0.965, 0.973, VIA 1-01G vs. One Touch(R) II, VIA 1-01G vs. YSI 2300 STA T, and One Touch(R) II vs. YSI 2300 STAT, respectively (all P-values < 0.00 01). This real-time bedside glucose monitor is accurate at glucose values < 13.8 mmol/l, and reliable for rapid, repetitive analyses. Results indicate that blood glucose values obtained using this real-time monitor are compar able to those using standard methods of measurement, and that this device i s clinically applicable for use in management of children with DKA. (C) 199 9 Published by Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd. All rights reserved.