Effect of intravenous quinine on capillary glucose levels in malaria.

ABSTRACT

OBJECTIVE: Hypoglycemia occurring during management in patients of severe malaria is often overlooked, which can be associated with higher morbidity and mortality rates. METHOD: Capillary glucose was estimated in 32 patients of malaria before, at one hour and at six hours of quinine administration. Quinine was given in saline solution intravenously. RESULTS: Pretreatment capillary glucose was found to be lower (71-80 mg/dl) in 12.5% cases. After one hour of intravenous quinine administration, capillary glucose levels fell by 11.84% in all the cases. A further fall of 20.50% was observed in 75% of cases after six hour. Two patients died and both were suffering from cerebral malaria. Statistically, fall in capillary glucose was highly significant at one hour (t=9.4, p < 0.001) and at six hours. (t=3.87, p < 0.001) CONCLUSION: Statistically significant fall in capillary glucose levels has been observed in patients of malaria with quinine administration.