Hypoglycemia and Risk Factors for Death in 13 Years of Pediatric Admissions in Mozambique

Lola Madrid Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça, Maputo, Mozambique; Barcelona Institute for Global Health, Barcelona Centre for International Health Research, Hospital Clínic Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Instituto Nacional de Saúde, Ministry of Health, Maputo, Mozambique

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Sozinho Acacio Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça, Maputo, Mozambique; Barcelona Institute for Global Health, Barcelona Centre for International Health Research, Hospital Clínic Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Instituto Nacional de Saúde, Ministry of Health, Maputo, Mozambique

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Tacilta Nhampossa Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça, Maputo, Mozambique; Barcelona Institute for Global Health, Barcelona Centre for International Health Research, Hospital Clínic Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Instituto Nacional de Saúde, Ministry of Health, Maputo, Mozambique

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Miguel Lanaspa Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça, Maputo, Mozambique; Barcelona Institute for Global Health, Barcelona Centre for International Health Research, Hospital Clínic Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Instituto Nacional de Saúde, Ministry of Health, Maputo, Mozambique

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Antonio Sitoe Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça, Maputo, Mozambique; Barcelona Institute for Global Health, Barcelona Centre for International Health Research, Hospital Clínic Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Instituto Nacional de Saúde, Ministry of Health, Maputo, Mozambique

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Sónia Amós Maculuve Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça, Maputo, Mozambique; Barcelona Institute for Global Health, Barcelona Centre for International Health Research, Hospital Clínic Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Instituto Nacional de Saúde, Ministry of Health, Maputo, Mozambique

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Helio Mucavele Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça, Maputo, Mozambique; Barcelona Institute for Global Health, Barcelona Centre for International Health Research, Hospital Clínic Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Instituto Nacional de Saúde, Ministry of Health, Maputo, Mozambique

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Llorenç Quintó Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça, Maputo, Mozambique; Barcelona Institute for Global Health, Barcelona Centre for International Health Research, Hospital Clínic Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Instituto Nacional de Saúde, Ministry of Health, Maputo, Mozambique

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Betuel Sigaúque Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça, Maputo, Mozambique; Barcelona Institute for Global Health, Barcelona Centre for International Health Research, Hospital Clínic Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Instituto Nacional de Saúde, Ministry of Health, Maputo, Mozambique

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Quique Bassat Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça, Maputo, Mozambique; Barcelona Institute for Global Health, Barcelona Centre for International Health Research, Hospital Clínic Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain; Instituto Nacional de Saúde, Ministry of Health, Maputo, Mozambique

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Hypoglycemia is a life-threatening complication of several diseases in childhood. We describe the prevalence and incidence of hypoglycemia among admitted Mozambican children, establishing its associated risk factors. We retrospectively reviewed clinical data of 13 years collected through an ongoing systematic morbidity surveillance in Manhiça District Hospital in rural Mozambique. Logistic regression was used to identify risk factors for hypoglycemia and death. Minimum community-based incidence rates (MCBIRs) for hypoglycemia were calculated using data from the demographic surveillance system. Of 49,089 children < 15 years hospitalized in Manhiça District Hospital, 45,573 (92.8%) had a glycemia assessment on admission. A total of 1,478 children (3.2%) presented hypoglycemia (< 3 mmol/L), of which about two-thirds (972) were with levels < 2.5 mmol/L. Independent risk factors for hypoglycemia on admission and death among hypoglycemic children included prostration, unconsciousness, edema, malnutrition, and bacteremia. Hypoglycemic children were significantly more likely to die (odds ratio [OR] = 7.11; P < 0.001), with an associated case fatality rate (CFR) of 19.3% (245/1,267). Overall MCBIR of hypoglycemia was 1.57 episodes/1,000 child years at risk (CYAR), significantly decreasing throughout the study period. Newborns showed the highest incidences (9.47 episodes/1,000 CYAR, P < 0.001). Hypoglycemia remains a hazardous condition for African children. Symptoms and signs associated to hypoglycemia should trigger the verification of glycemia and the implementation of life-saving corrective measures.

Author Notes

* Address correspondence to Lola Madrid, Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça (CISM), Rua 12, Cambeve, Vila de Manhiça, CP1929, Maputo, Mozambique. E-mail: lola.madrid@isglobal.org

Financial support: The CISM receives financial support from the Spanish Agency for International Cooperation (AECI). Quique Bassat has a fellowship from the program Miguel Servet of the ISCIII (Plan Nacional de I+D+I 2008-2011, grant no.: CP11/00269). Lola Madrid has a fellowship from the program Rio Hortega of the ISCIII (grant no.: CP13/00260).

Authors' addresses: Lola Madrid, Sozinho Acacio, Tacilta Nhampossa, Antonio Sitoe, Sónia Amós Maculuve, Helio Mucavele, and Betuel Sigaúque, Centro de Investigação em Saúde de Manhiça (CISM), Maputo, Mozambique, E-mails: lola.madrid@isglobal.org, sozinho.acacio@manhica.net, tacilta.nhampossa@manhica.net, antonio.sitoe@manhica.net, sonia.maculuve@manhica.net, helio.mucavele@manhica.net, and betuel.sigauque@manhica.net. Miguel Lanaspa, Llorenç Quintó, and Quique Bassat, Barcelona Institute for Global Health, Barcelona, Spain, E-mails: miguel.lanaspa@isglobal.org, lquinto@clinic.ub.es, and quique.bassat@isglobal.org.

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