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Biochemical Measurement of Neonatal Hypoxia
13:13

Biochemical Measurement of Neonatal Hypoxia

Published on: August 24, 2011

Incidence and risk factors for neonatal hypoglycaemia in Kerala, India

C K Sasidharan1, E Gokul, S Sabitha

  • 1Division of Neonatology, Department of Paediatrics, Institute of Maternal and Child Health, Medical College, Kozhikode, India.

The Ceylon Medical Journal
|February 8, 2005
PubMed

Insights

Neonatal hypoglycemia affects 41/1000 live births. Key risk factors include prematurity, low birthweight, maternal diabetes, and delayed breastfeeding, necessitating targeted blood glucose screening.

Area of Science:

  • Neonatal Medicine
  • Pediatric Endocrinology
  • Public Health

Background:

  • Neonatal hypoglycemia is a significant concern, affecting apparently healthy newborns.
  • Identifying predictive risk factors is crucial for timely intervention.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To determine the incidence of neonatal hypoglycemia.
  • To identify risk factors predicting hypoglycemia.
  • To establish criteria for mandatory blood glucose screening in neonates.

Main Methods:

  • Prospective hospital-based study in South India.
  • Systematic random sampling of 604 neonates.
  • Blood glucose levels measured twice within 48 hours using the glucose oxidase-peroxidase method.
  • Statistical analysis of 19 maternal and neonatal clinical characteristics.

Main Results:

  • Incidence of neonatal hypoglycemia was 41 per 1000 live births.
  • Eight independent risk factors identified: prematurity, low birthweight, maternal diabetes, delayed breastfeeding (>2h), maternal pre-eclampsia/eclampsia, birth asphyxia, cold stress, and oligohydramnios.
  • These factors were present in 89.1% of hypoglycemic neonates.

Conclusions:

  • Neonatal hypoglycemia is common, even in asymptomatic infants.
  • Maternal oligohydramnios and delayed breastfeeding are significant predictors.
  • Targeted blood glucose screening based on identified risk factors is a cost-effective identification strategy.
Abstract

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