New research is underway to investigate whether controlling the blood sugar levels of children in intensive care helps reduce deaths and serious complications.
The clinical trial follows a study of adults in intensive care units (ICUs), which found that there were 43% fewer deaths and a reduction in serious complications in adults receiving treatment to control their blood sugar levels.
Lead researcher, Dr Duncan Macrae of the Royal Brompton Hospital, commented: "It has been observed that blood sugar levels rise in adult patients, but babies and children are not small adults and it cannot be assumed that the benefits seen in adults will occur."
In the trial, Dr Macrae and his collaborators from the Paediatric Intensive Care Society Study Group will compare conventional versus strict control of blood sugar, using insulin.
The trial will involve 1,500 babies and children up to 16 years of age, across 10 regional paediatric ICUs around the UK. The research is funded by the National Institute for Health Research's Health Technology Assessment (NIHR HTA) programme.
