RISK FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH NEONATAL HYPOGLYCEMIA

Abstract

Objectives: Recurrent episodes of neonatal hypoglycemia are strongly associated with long termphysical and neuro-developmental deficits. (1) Moreover in neonates hypoglycemia can be overlooked as it may havenonspecific symptoms only. (2) This study was therefore carried out to analyse the risk factors associated with neonatalhypoglycemia and to evaluate the risk factors which have predictive value in its diagnosis. .Design: Based case controlstudy. Period: Six months from January 2005 to June 2005. Setting CMH Pano Aqil. Material and Methods: 385newborns were studied. Newborns of both civilians as well as military personnel were included in the study. 11newborns were excluded. Out of remaining 347 patients 101 were found to be hypoglycemia. Five risk factors (low birthweight, Birth Asphyxia, Neonatal sepsis, Meconeum aspiration syndrome delayed feeding ) strongly and independentlypredicated 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 bylaboratory testing in border line case. Conclusions: In neonates with associated risk factors it is cost affective to carryout blood glucose levels at the time of birth and follow up readings taken as indicated by clinical progress later on.