What, why and how to monitor blood glucose in critically ill patients

Table 1 Risk factors for developing hyperglycemia and hypoglycemia in intensive care unit patients

Risk factors for hyperglycemia	Risk factors for hypoglycemia
Release of stress hormones: Corticosteroids and catecholamines	Targeting tight glucose control with insulin infusions
Release of proinflammatory mediators	Use of bicarbonate-containing fluids
Administration of exogenous drugs: Corticosteroids, vasopressors, ascorbic acid	Interruption of nutritional support
Parenteral solutions containing dextrose	Infection, sepsis
Stress-induced hyperglycaemia	Drugs e.g. Octreotide, anti-glycaemic agents, betablockers, antibiotics (levofloxacin, quinine, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole)
Use of commercial dietary feeds or supplements	Use of vasopressors
	Liver failure
	Dialysis support