Frequency of neonatal hyperglycaemia at Gaafar Ibnauf Children's Hospital: Clinical aspects and short term outcome

Hyperglycaemia has become a significant risk factor for morbidity and mortality of the smaller fragile infants surviving the neonatal period. Its risk is inversely related to gestational age, birth weight and baby's clinical condition. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency, some clinical aspects and immediate outcome of hyperglycaemia in neonates admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) at Gaafar Ibnauf Children's Hospital, Khartoum. The study was a prospective, descriptive and hospital-based, conducted during the period of 1st January to 31st December 2014. Eighty-five neonates out of 345 had neonatal hyperglycaemia with a frequency rate of (24.6%). Fifty-two (61.2%) were males (male: female ratio=1.6:1), 61.2% of the babies were in the age group (0-7) days, and 25.9% in age group (8-14) days. Forty-two (49.4%) were preterm, while 43 (50.6%) were term babies. Four (4.7%) of the mothers had diabetes, and 6(7.1%) had hypertension. Neonatal sepsis was a predominant risk factor of hyperglycaemia occurring in 67 babies (78.8%), followed by respiratory distress syndrome in 28 (32.9%) babies. Ten babies (11.8%) were diagnosed as acute kidney injury, four babies (4.7%) had hypernatraemic dehydration and seven babies (8.3%) were having hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy. Out of 85 hyperglycaemic neonates death was reported in 10 babies (11.8%), 75 (88.2%) survived. All cases had transient hyperglycaemia; therefore insulin intervention was not necessary. Currently, at Gaafar Ibnauf Children's Hospital, specific protocol for management of hyperglycaemia is lacking. Further studies are recommended to assess long term sequels of hyperglycaemia in neonates.