Hyperglycemia and outcomes from pediatric traumatic brain injury

Background. The clinical significance of hyperglycemia after pediatric traumatic brain injury is controversial. This study addresses the relationship between hyperglycemia and outcomes after traumatic brain injury in pediatric patients. Method. We identified trauma patients admitted during a single year to our regional pediatric referral center with head regional Abbreviated Injury Scale scores greater than or equal to 3. We studied identified patients for admission characteristics potentially influencing their outcomes. The primary outcome measure was Glasgow Outcome Scale score. Results. Patients who died had significantly higher admission serum glucose values than those patients who survived (267 mg/dL vs. 135 mg/dL; p = 0.000). Admission serum glucose greater than or equal to 300 mg/dL was uniformly associated with death. Admission Glasgow Coma Scale score (odds ratio, 0.560; 95% confidence interval, 0.358-0.877) and serum glucose (odds ratio, 1.013; 95% confidence interval, 1.003-1.023) are independent predictors of mortality in children with traumatic head injuries. Conclusion. Hyperglycemia and poor neurologic outcome in head-injured children are associated. The pathophysiology of hyperglycemia in neurologic injury after head trauma remains unclear.