Sublingual Sugar for Treating Hypoglycaemia in Children with Severe Malaria
Author Information
Author(s): Graz Bertrand, Dicko Moussa, Willcox Merlin L, Lambert Bernard, Falquet Jacques, Forster Mathieu, Giani Sergio, Diakite Chiaka, Dembele Eugène M, Diallo Drissa, Barennes Hubert
Primary Institution: Antenna Technologies, Genève, Switzerland
Hypothesis
The efficacy of sublingual sugar (SLS) was assessed in a pilot randomized controlled trial among hypoglycaemic children with severe malaria in Mali.
Conclusion
Sublingual sugar appears to be a child-friendly, well-tolerated and effective promising method of raising blood glucose in severely ill children.
Supporting Evidence
- 71% of children receiving sublingual sugar reached a normal blood glucose level within 40 minutes.
- Sublingual sugar was well tolerated and easy to administer.
- Relapses occurred in 30% of the sublingual sugar group at 40 minutes.
Takeaway
Giving sugar under the tongue can help sick kids with low blood sugar feel better quickly, especially when doctors can't use an IV.
Methodology
A pilot randomized controlled trial comparing sublingual sugar and intravenous glucose in children with severe malaria and hypoglycaemia.
Potential Biases
Allocation was not concealed, which may introduce bias.
Limitations
The study had a small sample size and incomplete data for some patients.
Participant Demographics
Children aged 6 months to 15 years with severe malaria and hypoglycaemia.
Statistical Information
Confidence Interval
95%CI: 20.5–63.4
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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