RISK FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH NEONATAL HYPOGLYCEMIA

Abstract

Objectives: Recurrent episodes of neonatal hypoglycemia are strongly associated with long term
physical and neuro-developmental deficits. (1) Moreover in neonates hypoglycemia can be overlooked as it may have
nonspecific symptoms only. (2) This study was therefore carried out to analyse the risk factors associated with neonatal
hypoglycemia and to evaluate the risk factors which have predictive value in its diagnosis. .Design: Based case control
study. Period: Six months from January 2005 to June 2005. Setting CMH Pano Aqil. Material and Methods: 385
newborns were studied. Newborns of both civilians as well as military personnel were included in the study. 11
newborns were excluded. Out of remaining 347 patients 101 were found to be hypoglycemia. Five risk factors (low birth
weight, Birth Asphyxia, Neonatal sepsis, Meconeum aspiration syndrome delayed feeding ) strongly and independently
predicated the risk of hypoglycemia. Results: The most common associated risk factor was low birth weight (47.47%)
followed by delayed feeding (46.29%). Blood sampling for glucose estimation was done at birth / admission at 6 hours,
12 hours, 24 hours and 48 hours. Test was initially performed by glucometer, the reading which were confirmed by
laboratory testing in border line case. Conclusions: In neonates with associated risk factors it is cost affective to carry
out blood glucose levels at the time of birth and follow up readings taken as indicated by clinical progress later on.