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Journal of veterinary internal medicine2008; 22(5); 1223-1227; doi: 10.1111/j.1939-1676.2008.0174.x

Blood glucose concentrations in critically ill neonatal foals.

Abstract: Critical illness is associated with hyperglycemia in humans, and a greater degree and duration of hyperglycemia is associated with nonsurvival. Hypoglycemia is also seen in critically ill humans, and is associated with nonsurvival. This might also be true in the critically ill foal. Objective: To investigate the association of blood glucose concentrations with survival, sepsis, and the systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS). Methods: Blood glucose concentrations at admission (515 foals) and 24 hours (159 foals), 36 hours (95), 48 hours (82), and 60 hours (45) after admission were analyzed. Logistic regression analyses were performed to investigate the association of glucose concentrations with survival, sepsis, a positive blood culture, or SIRS. Results: 29.1% of foals had blood glucose concentrations within the reference range (76-131 mg/dL) at admission, 36.5% were hyperglycemic, and 34.4% were hypoglycaemic. Foals that did not survive to hospital discharge had lower mean blood glucose concentrations at admission, as well as higher maximum and lower minimum blood glucose concentrations in the 1st 24 hours of hospitalization, and higher blood glucose at 24 and 36 hours. Foals with blood glucose concentrations <2.8 mmol/L (50 mg/dL) or >10 mmol/L (180 mg/dL) at admission were less likely to survive. Hypoglycemia at admission was associated with sepsis, a positive blood culture, and SIRS. Conclusions: Derangements of blood glucose concentration are common in critically ill foals. Controlling blood glucose concentrations may therefore be beneficial in the critically ill neonatal foal, and this warrants further investigation.
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Publication Date: 2008-08-06 PubMed ID: 18691362DOI: 10.1111/j.1939-1676.2008.0174.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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  • Journal Article
  • Multicenter Study

Summary

This research summary has been generated with artificial intelligence and may contain errors and omissions. Refer to the original study to confirm details provided. Submit correction.

This research investigates the impact of abnormal blood glucose levels on the survival and health outcomes of critically ill newborn horses (foals). The findings suggest that either very high or very low blood glucose levels at hospital admission are associated with lower survival rates, sepsis, and severe systemic inflammatory responses.

Objective and Methodology

  • The main objective of the research was to determine any correlations between blood glucose concentrations in critically ill newborn foals and outcomes such as survival rate, sepsis, and the systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS).
  • It involved analyzing the blood glucose levels of foals upon admission and at intervals (24 hours, 36 hours, 48 hours, and 60 hours) during their stay in the hospital.
  • A cohort of 515 foals’ blood glucose concentrations were analyzed at admission, with subsets observed at specified hours after the admission.
  • Logistic regression analyses were used in determining associations between glucose concentrations and outcomes like survival, sepsis, blood culture results, or SIRS.

Results

  • Upon admission, about 29.1% of foals had glucose levels within the reference range (76-131 mg/dL), 36.5% were hyperglycemic and 34.4% were hypoglycemic.
  • Foals that did not survive until hospital discharge generally had lower mean glucose concentrations at admission, higher maximum and lower minimum glucose concentrations within the first 24 hours of hospitalization, and higher glucose levels at 24 and 36 hours after admission.
  • Foals with glucose levels that were significantly high (>180 mg/dL) or low (<50 mg/dL) at the point of admission were less likely to survive.
  • Low blood sugar at the time of admission was associated with heightened incidences of sepsis, confirmed blood infection (as shown by positive blood culture), and SIRS.

Conclusions

  • In critically ill newborn foals, abnormal levels of blood glucose are quite common.
  • The researchers concluded that controlling these glucose concentrations, and treating them as part of the primary medical response, could prove beneficial for the survival and improved health outcomes of critically ill foals.
  • Still, the researchers noted that further investigation was needed to solidify these conclusions.

Cite This Article

APA
Hollis AR, Furr MO, Magdesian KG, Axon JE, Ludlow V, Boston RC, Corley KT. (2008). Blood glucose concentrations in critically ill neonatal foals. J Vet Intern Med, 22(5), 1223-1227. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1939-1676.2008.0174.x

Publication

Journal of veterinary internal medicine
ISSN: 0891-6640
NlmUniqueID: 8708660
Country: United States
Language: English
Volume: 22
Issue: 5
Pages: 1223-1227

Researcher Affiliations

Hollis, A R
  • New Bolton Center, Kennett Square, PA, USA.
Furr, M O
    Magdesian, K G
      Axon, J E
        Ludlow, V
          Boston, R C
            Corley, K T T

              MeSH Terms

              • Animals
              • Animals, Newborn / blood
              • Blood Glucose / analysis
              • Critical Illness
              • Female
              • Horse Diseases / blood
              • Horses
              • Male

              Citations

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