Clinical significance of serum glucose level in pediatric acute head injury

Objective To assess the relationship between the serum glucose level, Glasgow coma scale (GCS) and the prognosis in children with acute head injury. Methods From Jan.1998 to Jan. 2001, the serum glucose levels of 145 children with acute head injury on admission were analyzed. Results The patients were divided into 3 groups according to the GCS (27cases in 3～8 scores, 27cases in 9～12 scores, 91cases in 13～15 scores).Their serum glucose value were ( 16.26 ± 2.33 )?mmol/L, ( 10.47 ± 2.15 )?mmol/L, ( 5.92 ± 1.21 )?mmol/L respectively. The outcome was good in 126 patients and poor in 13 with additional 6 children deceased. The serum glucose value were( 7.73 ± 3.25 )?mmol/L and ( 12.25 ± 2.99 )?mmol/L, ( 22.54 ± 3.97 )?mmol/L on admission. Twenty eight patients had blood glucose levels continuously monitored 6,24,48 hour after the injury. The levels of serum glucose were( 12.70 ± 2.02 )?mmol/L,( 8.34 ± 2.71 )?mmol/L,and ( 5.63 ± 1.75 )?mmol/L respectively. Conclusion The serum glucose measuring is useful in evaluating the severity and prognosis of head injury in children.