Hypoglycaemia in infantile malnutrition.

Abstract

SummaryThe incidence, the clinical significance and the factors predisposing to hypoglycaemia were studied in 84 malnourished infants. Predisposing factors were young age, intestinal infections, extreme wasting of the body, the deficit in weight exceeding 25 % as compared to normal infants of the same length, and even brief periods of fasting. Older oedematous infants, if not extremely marasmic, were not hypoglyc‐aemic. Malabsorption of carbohydrate does not play a leading role in eliciting hypoglycaemia, since severe hypoglycae‐mia was also observed in cases in whom the ability to split disaccharides was preserved.The prominent clinical symptoms at blood sugar levels between 25 and 0 mg/ 100 ml were pallor and apnoeic spells, while convulsions were exceptional. There was a prompt response to intravenous glucose, and recurring attacks were generally prevented by frequent feeding and by the administration of corticoids. Some cases exhibiting very low blood sugar levels remained asymptomatic. Fasting blood sugar levels were found to be of great prognostic significance.