Hypoglycemia following albuterol overdose in a child

Acute overdose with β-sympathomimetics results in transient elevation of blood glucose levels. Hypoglycemia has previously been reported in new-borns of mothers following prolonged use of sympathomimetics used as tocolytic therapy. The authors report the first case of symptomatic hypoglycemia in a child, occurring 16 hours after acute albuterol overdose. Hypoglycemia may occur as a complication of acute β-sympathomimetic overdose, probably as a reaction to acute elevation of blood sugar and resultant hyperinsulinemia. The authors suggest that in children with a large overdose of β-sympathomimetics, blood glucose levels should be monitored for several hours. In those with marked hyperglycemia, monitoring should be extended until normalization of blood glucose levels.