Analysis of blood glucose distribution of children and adolescents in China

Objective This study aims to explore the distribution of blood glucose, as well as sex-and age-specific trend in Chinese children and adolescents. Methods A total of 16 745 students aged 6 to 18 were chosen from seven provinces (Hunan, Ningxia hui autonomous region, Tianjin, Chongqing, Liaoning, Shanghai, Guangdong) in China in 2013 through stratified random cluster sampling. Fasting plasma glucose (FPG) was evaluated. Results The average level of FPG in children and adolescents aged 6-18 years was 4.66 mmol /L, boys was significantly higher than in girls (4.73 mmol /L vs 4.60 mmol /L) (P<0.05). The impaired fasting glucose (IFG) detection rate was 1.71% (the age-standardized detection rate was 1.83%), with boys significantly higher than in girls (2.40% vs 1.00%, the age-standardized detection rate was 2.60% and 1.00%, respectively) (P<0.05). Within the same age group, boys had higher FPG and IFG detection rate. The same trends were observed in boys and girls with bimodal or"M" shape in average level of FPG and IFG detection rate. Conclusion Fasting plasma glucose and impaired fasting glucose prevalence varies in age and sex. High prevalence of IFG in Chinese children and adolescents aged 6-18 years warrants further investigation.