Nagaveni Patta1, Manthena Jagadeesh Kumar2, Mohd Sirazuddin3, Anupati Jyothi4, N.S. Suresh5
BACKGROUND
Hypoglycaemia is one of the most common metabolic problems seen in neonatal
intensive care units (NICU). Most cases of neonatal hypoglycaemia are transient
and respond readily to treatment and are associated with excellent prognosis.
Development of clinical signs and symptoms may be a late sign of hypoglycaemia.
Persistent hypoglycaemia may result in possible neurologic sequelae. The purpose
of this study was to assess the clinical pattern of hypoglycaemia in neonates
admitted in special newborn care unit in Government General hospital,
Mahabubnagar, Telangana and to also assess the influence of gestational age,
birth weight, various comorbid conditions on blood glucose levels.
METHODS
This is an observational hospital-based study done in Government General
Hospital, Mahabubnagar from June 2020 to May 2021. Neonates with
hypoglycaemia (blood glucose < 45 mg/dl) at the time of admission are included
in our study. Blood glucose values were monitored 2nd hourly on 1st day and 6th
hourly thereafter. Following the detection of hypoglycaemia, the neonates were
treated as per institutional protocol. Clinical features, laboratory parameters are
studied and analysed.
RESULTS
Among the 99 neonates studied, 68 (68.7 %) were males and 31 (31.3 %)
females; Term babies were 75 (75.7 %) and pre term babies were 24 (24.2 %).
Low birth weight newborns (51.5 %) were more affected with hypoglycaemia
compared to normal weight newborns (38.4 %). Among the 99 neonates studied,
96.9 % were treated and discharged. Average duration of stay was around 05 to
07 days.
CONCLUSIONS
Hypoglycaemia is most common condition in neonates. Routine screening should
be done to all newborns at the time of admission. Timely intervention reduces long
term neurological sequelae. Neonates presenting with dull activity, refusal to feed,
vomiting, jitteriness, seizures must routinely undergo regular glucose monitoring.
As the study shows, most hypoglycaemic neonates presented with those
symptoms. Among the various comorbidities, hypoglycaemia occurred more in
birth asphyxia and respiratory distress syndrome. So, it should be made mandatory
to do glucose monitoring in these cases. Glucose monitoring should be made as a
common screening method to prevent morbidity and mortality in neonatal
intensive care units.
