In which cases of beta-blocker intoxication in childhood, does hypoglycemia develop more easily?

Abstract

Objectives: In this study, we aimed to investigate factors which could facilitate the identification of hypoglycemia in beta-blocker (BB) intoxication cases. Patients and methods: Between November 2020 and November 2021, a total of 136 patients (53 males, 83 females; mean age: 11.6+5.7 years; range, 2 to 17 years) who were admitted to the emergency department with BB poisoning were included in the study. The data on the cases were taken from the hospital’s automation system. Results: The mean systolic blood pressure (SBP) was 86.2±12 mmHg, the mean heart rate (HR) was 72.9±12.2 bpm, and the mean blood glucose level (BGL) was 104.4±42.8 mg/dL. When the relationship between the HR, SBP, and BGL of the cases was examined, there was a poor positive correlation between BGL and HR (r=0.32, p<0.01). No linear correlation was detected between BGL and SBP or between BGL and toxic dose percentage (r=0.23, p=0.06 and r=0.16, p=0.05). A very strong negative correlation was found between the percentage of toxic dose and SBP, and between the toxic dose percentage and HR (r=-0.90, p<0.01 and r=-0.76, p=0.04). There was a weak positive correlation between HR and SBP (r=0.42, p=0.09). Conclusion: We found a correlation between the decrease in HR and the decrease in BGL. Younger age, female sex, and high dose of the drug facilitated the development of hypoglycemia.